Hello, Oak Grove Family, Versión en español aquí, النسخة باللغة العربية هنا, Toleo la Kiswahili hapa, Версия на русском здесь, Versiunea in Romana
Wow! Who would have thought we’d experience another round of winter weather, only to be followed by 70-degree temperatures? A huge thank you to our fabulous PTA for putting on the fantastic Snow and Glow event on Friday! Students had an incredible time dancing while glowing in the dark, getting their faces painted, playing games, and even enjoying the snow. The food truck was a delicious treat, too!
We also want to extend our appreciation to all the students who attended school on Saturday—it was a fun-filled day of learning, and we loved seeing their enthusiasm and engagement.
This week, we proudly celebrate Mr. Moore, our dedicated School Social Worker, in honor of Social Worker Appreciation Week! Mr. Moore plays a vital role in supporting our students, families, and staff. His compassion, dedication, and advocacy make a lasting impact on our school community, and we are incredibly grateful for all he does. Thank you, Mr. Moore, for your unwavering commitment to Oak Grove!
Due to the inclement weather in February, Track 1 and Track 4 will make up Thursday, February 20th, on Saturday, April 5th, as per WCPSS guidelines. School will be in session for these students from 8:45 AM to 12:45 PM. Breakfast will be provided, but please note that lunch will NOT be served. We encourage families to send a hearty snack to keep students fueled for the day.
If you have a child joining us for kindergarten in July, please make sure to go ahead and register and turn in enrollment paperwork as soon as possible! We are working hard to prepare for the start of the next school year, and having accurate enrollment information is critical. Thank you for your help in this matter!
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-Outs, School Social Worker Appreciation Week, Severe Weather Preparedness Week, CogAT Testing - 2nd Grade Only, Otter Parent Education Night (OPEN), Single Subject Acceleration, Save the Date - 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremonies, Save the Date - Spring Pictures and Class Pictures, Open House at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School Open House for rising 6th Graders, Wake Up and Read Book Drive in March, 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!
Staff, School, and Club Wishlists
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. Karen Whelan
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. White, for shouting out Ms. Whelan, our Otterly Amazing Third-Grade Teacher!
School Social Worker Appreciation Week - March 3 - 7
Next week, we are excited to celebrate School Social Worker Appreciation Week and recognize Mr. Chris Moore, Oak Grove’s dedicated social worker! This year’s theme, “Unite to Ignite: Celebrating our Impact,” highlights the incredible role that social workers play in supporting students and families. Mr. Moore works tirelessly to remove barriers to learning, provide essential resources, and ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and valued. His commitment to our school community makes a lasting difference in the lives of so many. 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 him a high five or hug when you see him in the hall. Let’s take this opportunity to thank Mr. Moore for his dedication and impact on Oak Grove!
Severe Weather Preparedness Week
The National Weather Service invites school communities to promote severe weather safety during this year’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week, recognized from March 2-8 in North Carolina. This week, Oak Grove students will participate in a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 5, at 9:30 a.m.
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, Tracks 2, 3, & 4 will take the Cogat on the following dates:
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March 11 - Verbal
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March 12 - Quantitative
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March 13 - Nonverbal
Otter Parent Education Night - Thursday, March 27th
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. Please see the flyers below for additional 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!
Single Subject Acceleration Information from Ms. Garcia
Students meeting qualifying criteria in grades K-5 can accelerate one grade level in either mathematics or English Language Arts through Single Subject Acceleration (SSA). This ensures opportunities for appropriate levels of academic challenge for our students.
If you are interested in SSA, please view the Parent Presentation (here is a 1 page document to accompany the video)to help decide if this option is right for your child.
To qualify to test for SSA at Oak Grove, the student must be currently enrolled and attending Oak Grove Elementary, the parent must request testing during the open window through the form linked on the SSA Page on the WCPSS Website, and the student must make a qualifying score on the SSA assessment. If you have additional questions, please contact, Callie Garcia, at cgarcia8@wcpss.net. Please note the specific dates for your child’s assigned track:
Spring 2025 SSA Schedule
Track 1
Test Request Window Opens:
Feb. 17 – Mar. 7
Testing Occurs at School Between:
April 4 - April 17
Track 2
Test Request Window Opens:
March 10- March 28
Testing Occurs at School Between:
April 4 – April 17
Track 3
Test Request Window Opens:
March 10- March 28
Testing Occurs at School Between:
April 4 - April 17
Track 4
Test Request Window Opens:
March 10- March 28
Testing Occurs at School Between:
April 28 - May 9
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!
5th Grade Families - From Dr. Feldman, Principal, Dillard Drive Magnet Middle Rising 6th Graders Open House
Attention Rising 6th Grade Families! Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School will host an Open House on Wednesday, March 5th. The event begins at 5:00 PM with an overview of their exciting Magnet programming, followed by an information session at 6:00 PM specifically for families of rising 6th graders. This is a great opportunity to learn about Dillard Drive’s unique programs, meet staff, and get all the information you need for a smooth transition to middle school. For more details, check out the flyer linked HERE. We hope to see you there!
Complete survey regarding electronic devices in schools by Mar 7
Parents and community members are invited to share their views regarding cell phones and other electronic devices in schools. A survey for parents and community members is available in English and Spanish and will be available until March 7. Students and staff members also will be given the opportunity to provide input.
WAKE Up and Read book drive kickoff set for March 1
Bring your family and friends out to celebrate the kickoff of WAKE Up and Read's annual book drive at John Chavis Community Center on March 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will be accepting new books in support of our 28 partner schools and 17 child development centers to promote summer reading. There will be guest readers, games, giveaways, food, and fun. RSVP by Feb. 26.
⭐ PTA UPDATES⭐
📅 SAVE THE DATE! 📅
The next PTA meeting will be held Thursday, March 27th, before the Parent Education Night!
RENT THE ROCK!
The Oak Grove Elementary School Spirit Rock is a great way to send a message for all to see! The rock has available weeks this spring for weekly rental!
Reserve the Spirit Rock here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABAD2FA5FFCF8-49819340-rent#/
🎉 Sponsor Shout-Out! 🎉
Join us in saying "THANK YOU" to Bernstein Orthodontics for becoming 
GOLD sponsors of the Oak Grove PTA!
We greatly appreciate their generous support!! 
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
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!
