Hello, Oak Grove Family, Versión en español aquí, النسخة باللغة العربية هنا, Toleo la Kiswahili hapa, Версия на русском здесь
Wow! 😎 Our Attendance Spirit Week was a huge success. Weekly, we identify classrooms by grade level on who has the best attendance. September 15th - October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month. We have many resources from WCPSS for teachers to use to celebrate these students and their families.
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Fall Festival on Friday, October 18! This fun-filled event will feature a variety of food trucks offering delicious options for the whole family. Join us for an evening of games and activities. (see below)
In the last few weeks, the North Carolina Department of Instruction released the school achievement and growth scores for the 2023-24 school year. I could not be prouder of our students, who diligently apply themselves throughout the year and embrace a growth mindset. Our OGES teachers are truly exceptional, constantly finding innovative ways to help students meet or surpass grade-level expectations. Take a look at our School Progress Report HERE! We celebrate all of our successes, and we will continue to pursue achieving excellence at OGES!
Looking ahead, this year's Reflections contest is approaching quickly. The theme is "Accepting Imperfections," 🎉 we encourage all students to participate and showcase their creativity across six arts categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Students may enter in one or more categories. For rules and entry requirements, please refer to the PTA section of the Newsletter below.
Thank you to our families who have submitted names for our Staff Shout Outs. 🎉We are committed to recognizing the outstanding educators who make a difference in our students' lives. We would love for each staff member to receive a shout-out! You can use this Google form to submit your Otter Staff Shoutouts. 🦦🎉 Thank you for helping us highlight the great work happening on our campus! Be sure to check our website regularly to see staff members being recognized and other important updates. Visit us at https://www.wcpss.net/oakgrovees.
Families and individuals who were approved to volunteer in the 2023-24 school year should have received a reminder email on Sept. 5 about the simple volunteer renewal process for the 2024-25 school year. The deadline for renewal is October 1st! As always, we LOVE having volunteers in our building. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please view THIS information about the volunteer approval process for WCPSS schools.
Below is information about our next Staff Shout-out, Custodial Appreciation Day, Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month, a Shout-out to Lowes Home Improvement, the Field Trip Refund Policy, the Cell Phone and Smart Watch Policy, Cogat Testing Dates for 3rd Grade Students, Fall Festival, Parent/Teacher Conferences, the HELPS Tutoring Opportunity, the Yearbook Cover Contest, Club Needs, Fall Picture Day, and PTA Updates.
As the school year progresses, we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and working closely with you to provide the best possible education for every child at Oak Grove. Don’t hesitate to reach out 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!
Staff, School, and Club Wishlists
Warm Regards,
Ms. Benton
Otter Happenings (English Calendar) - Updated 8/11/24
Acontecimientos de nutria (Spanish Calendar) -Updated 8/11/24
Updated 8/11/24 حداث قضاعة Arabic Calendar
Matukio ya Otter (Swahili Calendar) - Updated 8/11/24
Выдровые события (Russian Calendar) - Updated 8/11/24er
Staff Shout Out - Ms. Heather Bunn
Thank you, Mr. Wills, for shouting out Ms. Bunn, our Otterly Amazing Fist Grade Teacher~
October is Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month
October is Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month, a time when we focus on fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students. At Oak Grove, we are committed to promoting kindness, respect, and inclusivity in our school community. Throughout the month, students will engage in lessons and activities designed to raise awareness about bullying, its impact, and how to stand up against it in a positive and constructive way. We encourage families to have conversations at home about the importance of treating others with kindness and speaking up when they witness bullying. Together, we can create a culture where every child feels valued and respected. Please join us for our Spirit Month activities!
Custodial Appreciation Day
School Custodial Day on October 2nd is an important opportunity to recognize custodians' vital role in maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for students, staff, and the entire school community. Custodians work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that classrooms, hallways, and common areas are well-maintained and conducive to learning. Their efforts in cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining school facilities help prevent the spread of illness, contribute to the overall health and safety of the school, and create a positive atmosphere that enhances both learning and morale. Celebrating School Custodial Day reminds us to express our gratitude and acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Please help us celebrate Mr. Jorge Hernandez, our school custodian.
Thank You to Lowes Home Improvement in Cary
We are incredibly grateful to Lowe's Home Improvement in Cary for their generous donations to our school! Their support has provided our STEM Club with essential supplies for building catapults, allowing students to engage in hands-on, creative problem-solving projects. Additionally, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lowes for donating whiteboards to support vertical learning in our 4th-grade classrooms. These resources have enriched our students' learning experiences, helping them develop critical thinking skills and collaborate more effectively. We deeply appreciate the community's investment in our students’ education and success!
Field Trip Refund Policy
We want to remind you of the WCPSS field trip refund policy regarding changes or cancellations.
Changes/Cancellations
I understand school trips may be canceled when necessary by the principal, superintendent, or board of education. The school system cannot guarantee reimbursement when such cancellations occur. Parents/guardians will be notified of any significant change in plans prior to the school trip.
Please note that school trips may be canceled when deemed necessary by the principal, superintendent, or the board of education. In such cases, the school system cannot guarantee reimbursement. While we understand the inconvenience this may cause, the policy helps ensure that safety and logistics remain our top priorities. Parents and guardians will be notified of any significant trip plan changes before the scheduled event. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Cell Phone and Smart Watch Policy
Cell phones can only be used on school grounds if they are turned completely off and kept in students' backpacks. Students are prohibited from using cell phones during school hours or on school buses.
If a student has a smartwatch, that device must be turned on in Airplane mode to disable text messages and phone calls from being received by the watch/device. The watch is considered a cell phone UNLESS airplane mode is activated. Otherwise, all smartwatches must be powered off and placed in backpacks.
Cogat Testing Dates for 3rd Grade Students Only
We would like to inform you that all 3rd-grade students will participate in the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) as part of our district’s assessment process. The CogAT measures students' reasoning and problem-solving skills in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal abilities. This assessment helps us better understand each student's learning profile and identify areas of strength and potential growth. It is important for students to arrive on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best. Results will be shared with you and will help guide future learning opportunities. Thank you for your support! Students in Grade 3 will take the Cogat on the following dates:
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October 1 - Tracks 1-3
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October 2 - Tracks 1-3
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October 3 Tracks 1-3
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October 22 - Track 4
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October 23 - Track 4
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October 24 - Track 4
Fall Festival - Friday, October 18th
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Fall Festival on Friday, October 18! This fun-filled event will feature a variety of food trucks, offering delicious options for the whole family. Join us for an evening of games, activities, and entertainment, including the highly anticipated Great Inflatable Race among our teachers – a competition you won’t want to miss! In addition, each grade level will participate in the exciting Punkin Chunkin contest, where students will showcase their pumpkin-launching creations. We look forward to seeing you there for a fantastic night of fun and community!
Parent/Teacher Conferences
As we progress through the school year, we invite you to join us for Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s academic progress, social development, and any other important aspects of their school experience. Together, we can celebrate their strengths and identify areas for growth, ensuring that they are on a path to success. Your partnership is essential in supporting your child’s education, and we look forward to collaborating with you to ensure they have a positive and productive year. Be on the lookout for conference scheduling details from your child’s teacher soon.
Board Advisory Council Committee Member
We seek a dedicated parent to serve as our next Board Advisory Council (BAC) Member for Oak Grove. This individual will have the important role of attending meetings with our district’s Board member, Lynn Edmonds, sharing valuable insights on how we can continue to improve our school and serve as a voice for our school community. The BAC member plays a key part in representing Oak Grove, ensuring that our students' needs and interests are well-represented in district discussions. If you are interested in serving in this role and positively impacting our school, please contact Beverly Benton at bbenton@wxpss.net
HELPS Tutoring
WCPSS partners with Wake Ed Partnership to recruit volunteers to provide tutoring sessions for students using the HELPS curriculum. The HELPS curriculum is an evidence-based fluency curriculum recognized in the What Works Clearinghouse - the US Dept of Education Database. It is structured and scripted and can be implemented by trained volunteers. Volunteers will work with students 1:1 in increments of about 20 minutes. All curriculum and data-tracking materials will be provided to volunteers. Volunteers will receive 4 hours of training and at least two coaching sessions to ensure implementation with fidelity. For more information, please see the HELPS Flyer linked HERE. If you want to become a HELP Volunteer for Oak Grove, please email Ms. Benton at bbenton@wcpss.net.
Yearbook Cover Contest - Students in Grades 3-5 - Mr. Carter
Attention All Oak Grove Elementary Artists from Grades 3, 4 & 5!
It is time for our annual YEARBOOK COVER DESIGN CONTEST! This is a unique opportunity to showcase your creativity in designing the cover for the 2024 - 2025 yearbook and leave your lasting mark on this year’s memories. The theme this year is ALL TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER. By involving students in this process, we are not just creating a memento but nurturing future designers, artists, and creative thinkers. We look forward to seeing our young artists' captivating creativeness this year. Your child may come to the office and get a contest page, or you may download them using the links below.
2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Contest English
2024-2025 Yearbook Cover Contest Spanish
Club Needs
We are still seeking volunteers and supplies for our School-Wide Clubs. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Ms. Sammons at gsammons@wcpss.net. Your support in providing these supplies is greatly appreciated and will contribute significantly to our students' success. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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Club Wishlist |
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Club Name |
Wish List |
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OGES |
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Garden Club |
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Board Games |
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Craft Club |
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Mark Your Calendars: Fall Pictures
Lifetouch will send home more information to families at a later date.
⭐ PTA UPDATES⭐
🍿 Outdoor Movie Night - Friday, Sept 27th! 🍿
Schedule of Events
5:30-6:30 pm: Enjoy dinner (purchase a slice or BYO), play with the new soccer goals, tie-dye OGES t-shirts, and make pet beds to be donated to the SPCA!
6:30-7 pm: PTA Meeting
7 pm: Despicable Me 4 begins!
Volunteers are still needed to help with this event! Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABAD2FA5FFCF8-51307630-movie?fbclid=IwY2xjawFXyvFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQcJDKfuNXpXySGmsN61IKsa9ngzo_DsWzG1ug5XWTxrN0Ksr6eEWpfing_aem_39qREZ1V5VrWJVuPtkTUHA#/
🎉 The PTA Reflections Contest is open for entries!!
The theme this year is "Accepting Imperfections"🎉
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All participants will be celebrated at Art Night on Dec 5th.
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🎃 Fall Festival - Friday, October 18th!🎃
Volunteers are needed to help with this event! Please sign up here to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABAD2FA5FFCF8-51252981-oges?useFullSite=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawFXyohleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQcJDKfuNXpXySGmsN61IKsa9ngzo_DsWzG1ug5XWTxrN0Ksr6eEWpfing_aem_39qREZ1V5VrWJVuPtkTUHA#/
We have tons of new designs, including shirts, mugs, water bottles, tumblers, notebooks, and more!! You can order at any time, and your merchandise will be shipped to your home.
Did you know the OGES PTA has a website? We encourage you to bookmark the site and check it often for up-to-date announcements and information!
