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Otter Splash for the Weeks of February 2-16

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

Wow! What a rollercoaster of weather we’ve had! Only in North Carolina can we experience temperatures in the teens and two snow days one week, followed by sunny skies and highs in the 60s the next. We hope all our Oak Grove families enjoyed the winter weather, and we truly appreciate your flexibility and understanding as schedules shifted based on WCPSS's inclement weather decisions.

Believe it or not, we are already in the early stages of planning for the 2025-2026 school year! The first step is opening the Track Change Request Form window, which is now available through February 28th. Families interested in requesting a track change can access the form HERE. While we cannot guarantee all requests will be honored, we will do our best to accommodate as many as possible. If you have specific questions, please call or email Ms. Dahlhoff at adahlhoff@wcpss.net. Families will be notified of the outcome at the beginning of May

As we move into the second semester, we want to emphasize the importance of regular attendance for student success. We understand that families may choose to travel throughout the year, but we strongly encourage planning trips during track-out periods to avoid missed instructional time. One of the many benefits of a year-round calendar is the built-in breaks, which allow for vacations without disrupting learning. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring students are present and engaged when their track is in session. Thank you for your ongoing support in making Oak Grove a thriving learning community!

A huge thank you to those who have submitted Staff Shout-Outs! 🎉 We are dedicated to recognizing the outstanding educators who positively impact our students. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to use this Google Form to submit your Otter Staff Shoutouts. Let’s continue to celebrate the great work happening at Oak Grove! You can also check our website regularly for updates and to see our staff members being recognized. 🦦🎉

Below is information about our Next Staff Shout-Out, School Counselor Appreciation Week, Bus Driver Appreciation Week, Upcoming Otter Parent Education Night (OPEN), Yearbook Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions, Save the Date - 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies, Save the Date - Spring Pictures and Class Pictures, CogAT Testing dates for 2nd grade only, Contact Verification Sheets, From WCPSS - Supporting Families Amid Recent Federal Immigration Orders, Level-Up Literacy Support, and PTA Updates.

As we continue the second half of the school year, 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!

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) - Updated 1/5/25

Acontecimientos de nutria (Spanish Calendar) -Updated 1/19/25

Updated 1/19/25   حداث قضاعة Arabic Calendar      

Matukio ya Otter (Swahili Calendar) - Updated 1/19/25

Выдровые события (Russian Calendar) - Updated 1/19/25 

Calendarul Romanesc (Romanian Calendar - Updated 1/19/25

 

 

Staff Shout Out - Ms. Creighton

Thank you, Paul and Darcey March, for shouting out Ms. Creighton, our Otterly Amazing Third-Grade Teacher!

 

Staff Shout Out - Hank

Thank you, Maria and Nayeli Canuto Sosa, for shouting out Hank, our Otterly Amazing Otter Buddy! 

 

Our beloved Otter Buddy, Hank, is celebrating his 2nd birthday this Tuesday! Hank brings so much joy to our school community—he loves when students read to him, enjoys greeting everyone in the morning, and always impresses us with his tricks (especially when treats are involved!). To show our appreciation for Hank and the comfort and happiness he brings to our students, we invite you to share how he has helped your child. Please email Ms. Benton at bbenton@wcpss.net with your stories—we would love to celebrate Hank with heartfelt messages from our families!



School Counselor Appreciation Week - February 3 - 7

We are excited to celebrate School Counselor Appreciation Week from February 3-7! This special week honors the incredible work of our school counselors, Ms. Michot and Ms. Schira, who play a vital role in supporting our students’ academic success, mental health, and social-emotional well-being. They dedicate themselves to creating a safe and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. This year’s theme is “School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive.” To show your appreciation, we encourage you to have your child write a thank-you card, draw a picture, pick flowers from outside, or simply give them a high five or hug when you see them in the hall. Let’s take this opportunity to thank Ms. Michot and Ms. Schira for everything they do to support our students and school community!



Bus Driver Appreciation Week - February 10 - 14

February 10-14, we celebrate Bus Driver Appreciation Week, also known as "Love the Bus" Week! Our bus drivers play a vital role in ensuring that students arrive at school and return home safely each day. Their dedication, patience, and commitment help create a positive start and end to every school day. We encourage families to take a moment to show appreciation for these incredible individuals who transport our children with care. Some thoughtful ways to express gratitude include writing a thank-you note, drawing a picture, or even picking flowers to brighten their day. A small gesture can go a long way in making our bus drivers feel valued and appreciated for all they do!



Family Education Night - Save the Date

Oak Grove Elementary is thrilled to announce our upcoming Family Education Night! Mark your calendars and join us on Thursday, March 27th, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM for an evening of learning and community engagement. The night will kick off with a brief PTA meeting at 5:00 PM, so be sure to arrive early. Stay tuned for details on the exciting sessions we’ll be offering. Plus, enjoy delicious options from food trucks, prizes, and raffles. Children ages 5 and up can join us in the gym to play Bingo and be supervised by staff. Children under the age of 5 will be allowed to attend the sessions with their families/caregivers. We can't wait to see you there!

                      




Yearbook Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions

We are excited to announce the winners of this year's Yearbook Cover Contest! Our talented artists in grades 3-5 showcased incredible creativity, making it a very tough decision for our committee. Every submission reflected our Otter Artists' hard work and artistic talent, and we are so proud of their dedication! Please take a moment to view this PowerPoint presentation to see our winner, runner-up, and honorable mentions. Thank you to all the students who participated—you made this year’s contest truly special!

 

 

5th Grade Families - Save the Date - 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies

Attention 5th Grade Parents! Mark your calendars for our Moving Up Ceremonies as we celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of our 5th-grade Otters. This special event will honor their hard work and growth as they prepare for the next chapter of their journey. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

 

 

Save the Date - Spring/Class Pictures

Mark your calendars! Spring and Class Picture Day is coming up soon. This is an excellent opportunity to capture special memories of your child and their classmates. Stay tuned for more detailed ordering information from Lifetouch. We look forward to seeing all those smiling faces!

 

 

 

Cogat Testing Dates for 2nd Grade Students Only

We would like to inform you that all 2nd-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 2, Track 1 will take the Cogat on the following dates:

  • February 10 - Track 1

  • October 11 - Track 1

  • October 22 - Track 1

Other track dates have yet to be determined.

 

 

Contact Verification Sheets - From Ms. Dahlhoff, Data Manager

On Tuesday, January 7th, a Contact Verification sheet will be sent home with your student. Action on your part is needed in preparation for Infinite Campus, which will replace PowerSchool next year. 

 

The new system will only connect you and your student through your home address. Please verify the information is correct, paying close attention to the address of the Parents (mother or father), guardians, foster parents, and stepparents who live at the same address as the student. Please add the address if no one is printed on the sheet or correct it if it is incorrect.

 

We ask that you complete and return this to school ASAP, as there is a lot of work to do to prepare for a smooth transition so that you continue to have access to your child's information. Please contact our Data Manager, Ms. Dahlhoff, with any questions 

 adahlhoff@wcpss.net or 919 387-4490



From WCPSS Supporting Families Amid Recent Federal Immigration Orders

Our primary focus remains on the well-being, safety, and education of every student we serve, regardless of their background. We recognize that recent orders may cause uncertainty for some members of our community. We want to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where all children can learn and thrive.

 

The Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guarantees all children the right to access a public education, regardless of citizenship status. Our district has always complied with federal and state laws and will continue to do so. We are equally committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students and families.

 

Building leaders have been reminded of the procedures that law enforcement agencies must follow when interacting with students on campus. If law enforcement seeks access to a school, we will consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

 

Additionally, our district does not ask for or record information about the immigration status of any family. We will continue to honor all laws protecting the privacy of student records as outlined in board policies. We encourage families to contact their school’s student support services if their child has concerns or social-emotional needs during this time.



WCPSS launches Level Up Literacy with a new partner

The district is launching the new Level Up Literacy tutoring initiative this week. The effort is supported by local nonprofit partners Read and Feed and WakeEd Partnership.  Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for an information session or training. Learn more about how you can participate on our website. 



⭐ PTA UPDATES⭐

 

📌 SAVE THE DATE!! 📌

 

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❄️✨ Oak Grove is throwing a SNOW AND GLOW Party! ❄️

Join us on Feb 28th from 5:30-7:30 pm for NEON dancing to a DJ, playing in SNOW, face painting, food, games, and MORE!!

We'll need a lot of help to make this event a success! Please sign up here to help!

 

🥳 Our School Spirit Store is OPEN!! 🥳

We have TONS of NEW designs, sweatshirts, t-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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💥 OAK GROVE PTA WEBSITE 💥

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!

 

https://sites.google.com/view/ogespta