Principal’s Otter Splash 7/9/2021

Hello, Oak Grove family! Welcome back to Tracks 1, 2, and 3. We had a terrific Meet the Teacher on Wednesday, July 7. Although we had to weather Elsa on Thursday, it was a great first day of school! We appreciate all the love, excitement, and support from our Oak Grove Families this week.

 

As a reminder, we still must limit visitors inside the building while students are in attendance. So, for now, please plan to meet an Oak Grove staff member at the door if you have something to deliver to school.  

 

Also, as a reminder, we still must wear masks inside the building when students are present. Students will not have to wear masks while outside or while actively eating or drinking (including lunch). Water fountains remain closed except for filling water bottles.

 

Virtual Academy 21-22

For our Virtual Academy families, Oak Grove is partnering with the 4 other Southwest Area Year-Round Schools (Laurel Park, Olive Chapel, Turner Creek, and Salem) to finalize teachers, rosters, and plans for the 21-22 Virtual Academy. As a reminder, your student will be following a Track 4 schedule. You should expect communication from me on Friday, July 16, with updated VA information. You should also expect to hear from your child’s VA teacher later this month.

 

Track 4 Summer Camp (July 12-16 and 19-23)

We are kicking off Summer Camp on Monday, July 12, with Track 4 students that were notified by the school in the Spring. You should have received communication from Ms. Tysor (jtysor@wcpss.net) with your child’s report card. For most of our Track 4 campers, your child’s Summer Camp teacher will meet them in the lobby on Monday. If you are using assisted drop-off, there will be a staff member to meet your family there.

 

Reminders for Carpoolers for a smooth arrival & dismissal

• Adults stay in car at all times with car running
• Please have your carpool number displayed during dismissal
• Please practice carpool numbers with your student
• Students should be ready to get out of the car quickly. If they are able, they can open the car door on their own. Our staff is there to help if needed.
• Students should be seated in the back passenger seat (right side of the car) upon arrival; and will be placed in the back passenger seat at dismissal
• Students should have backpack/personal items ready
• Say goodbye or hello quickly
• You can pull off by the Oak Grove track to the right as you exit if your Otter need help buckling up before leaving our campus

 

 

Older Splash Reminders:

21-22 School Year Kick-off:

We are ready to kick off the 21-22 school year. We will be hosting more Meet the Teacher events soon.

We ask families to limit the number of people attending to parents/guardians if possible (limit 2, when possible). Also, everyone will be required to wear a mask indoors. Please bring school supplies to this event, as parents/family members will not be allowed inside the building on the first day of school.

 

The dates for other Meet the Teacher events are:

Track 1, 2, 3 (Kindergarten): July 14, 4:15-5:15

Track 4 (1^st-5^th grades): July 30, 1:00

Track 4 (Kindergarten): August 6, 4:15-5:15

 

Updated guidelines: For family engagement activities, NCDHHS requires schools to limit nonessential visitors and activities involving external groups or organizations. Before or after school hours, when students are not required to be in school, you may have visitors in your building. 

All visitors, staff, and students must follow face covering requirements if students are in the building.

 

Schools should make efforts to limit or minimize the number of visitors in a school at a time. Possible options include staggering event dates/times to reduce the number of people in areas of the school at the same time or hosting the majority of the event outdoors.

 

Grade Level Supply Lists:

Please find the grade level supply lists here:

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

ECS

You child’s teacher may have additional items in a “wish list” that you receive at Meet the Teacher in July/August.

 

Items to Return to OGES:

We need to get the following back when students return in July/August:

WCPSS math manipulatives

WCPSS headphones

WCPSS white board

WCPSS EL books

If you haven’t returned these items, please do so when your student returns to OGES.

 

Purchase OGES Spirit Wear:

As we begin the 2021-2022 school year, the PTA wants to remind you that Spirit Wear is available for purchase now to get your student ready for the new school year. You can find ordering information here: https://oak-grove-pta.square.site/

 

COVID Guidelines Updates (Subject to Change . . . )

 

• Classroom Set Up:  

Desks do not have to be six feet apart. Teachers will use a seating chart whenever possible to monitor student interactions. Assigned seating could reduce the number of people who may have to quarantine if someone is diagnosed with COVID-19 and facilitate contact tracing.

 

• Recess:

Social distancing and masks are NOT required while outside at recess.  Students can use all recess equipment.

 

• Cafeteria:

Classes will be eating in the cafeteria as they have done in the past with the following guidelines:

1. Serving lines will be set up in the traditional way so students can "self-serve" and make their own food/beverage choices.
2. Students must have assigned seats.
3. Students can talk and socialize while eating.  
4. Adults will always remain masked in the cafeteria. 
5. Students will be encouraged to replace masks when they finish eating. Masks will have to be in place prior to leaving the cafeteria.

 

• Visitors in the School:

While there are still restrictions on visitors inside the school, there has been some loosening of these restrictions. Below are some highlights:

• Nonessential visitors must still be limited, but . . . 
• Schools may allow visitors when students are not required to be at school (i.e. before/after school or teacher workdays). Generally, visitors will only be allowed for planned events.
• All visitors, staff, and students must follow face covering requirements if students are in the building. 
• Schools must limit the number of visitors in the school at a time. 
• Schools will ask families to limit the number of non-students attending in-school events and make arrangements for siblings when possible.

 

• Health Screening:

We need your help to keep our school communities healthy by keeping your student home if they are not feeling well or have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19. Thank you for your cooperation. More information

 

Move to Symptom Screening Reminders:

Students should not be in school if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, exposed to someone with COVID-19, instructed to quarantine, or if they are sick or experiencing any of these symptoms: 

• 4° fever or higher
• Sore throat
• New cough
• New shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• New severe headache

Visit www.wcpss.net/WhenToReturn for information about returning to school.

 

 

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ms. Rhodes or me with any questions you may have. We are happy to help.

 

All my best,

 

Stephanie Bias, Principal

 

Reminders:

• Join the PTA: https://oakgrove.memberhub.store/
• Purchase Spirit Wear, https://oak-grove-pta.square.site/
• July 12-16: Track 4 Summer Camp Week 1
• July 14: Kindergarten Meet the Teacher (Tracks 1, 2, 3) 4:15-5:15
• July 19-23: Track 4 Summer Camp Week 2
• July 22: 3^rd Grade BOG (Tracks 1, 2, 3)
• July 29: Track-out Day, Track 3
• July 30: Meet the Teacher for 1st-5th (Track 4 - 1:00)
• August 2: First Day of School, Track 4