The Grove
July 8, 2024
September 6, 2024
Note From Principal Graham
This week we work on the Graduate Profile skill of being kind. We talked about being aware of others
and showing empathy, thoughtfulness, and encouragement to support one’s family, friends, school, and
community. We are so proud of how our Patriots show kindness every day!
Every Friday at Oak Grove is Spirit Day. This is a great day to show your school spirit by wearing our school colors red, white, and blue or wearing an Oak Grove shirt. Show your school spirit by joining us on Friday. Check out the photos below of some amazing Patriots showing their school spirit today.
Online Order Code
If you are making an online purchase, the online ordering code is 7Y4PAGC. Thank you for joining us for spirit night. Make sure to tell the cashier at checkout that you are there for Oak Grove, so that our school gets credit. Thank you for your ongoing support!
In order for all staff (support and certified) to engage in professional learning on collaborative planning days, the front offices at schools will close earlier than usual.
Please note that elementary schools will close their front offices at 12:45 PM.
Congratulations Lucas For Graduating Ms. Shuman's PreK Class
Car line drop off begins at 7:00. For the safety of your children, please do not drop them off in the parking lot area to cross traffic. Safety is top priority and why all students are to be dropped off at the breezeway where staff and safety patrol are available to assist. A secondary drop off location is the bus loop starting at 7:10.
Changes Coming to Cell Phone Policy
As published in the 2024–25 Student Handbook, a new state law in the form of a proviso included in the 2024–25 state budget requires the following:
“To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the Internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.”
During the month of September, the Lexington One principal, teacher, parent, student and support staff advisory councils will provide feedback on the draft cell phone policy presented to the S.C. Board of Education during their August Meeting.
This feedback will guide our district's new policy, which will be presented to the Lexington One Board of Trustees for first reading in October and final approval in November.
This timeline ensures ample time to prepare our students and families for the policy's January implementation.
Current Policy:
Lexington One will begin the 2024-25 school year following the district’s current cell phone policy, which is explained below. After the State Board of Education adopts a policy, district administrators will work with our School Board to update our district policy.
Cellular telephone and other personal communication devices are used for various reasons, including emergency use and parental communication.
Middle and high school students may possess a personal communication device in school according to the following guidelines:
The device remains silent and is not visible or in use during instructional time. Teachers may allow, however, the instructional use of personal communication devices at their discretion.
Personal communication devices are not permitted to be used in locker rooms, restrooms or other personal spaces.
Middle and high school students may use their personal communication device before and after school, during class changes and during their assigned lunch as long as the use does not disrupt the school environment.
Elementary school students may possess a personal communication device as long as the device remains off and is not visible during the school day. They are not permitted to use personal communication devices during the school day. Teachers may allow, however, the instructional use of personal communication devices at their discretion.
Students and parents should understand that possession of these devices could pose a risk of loss or theft. We encourage students to properly label their devices and take steps to keep them safe. The school/district will not be liable for lost or damaged devices.
The school principal reserves the right to limit and/or confiscate these devices if the use of these devices is causing a disruption to the school.
A person who finds a student in violation of this policy must report the student to the school principal or his/ her designee. Upon notification, the principal or his/her designee will follow these procedures:
Number of offense(s) . . . . . Consequence(s) 1st violation . . . . . . . . . . . . Student conference held. 2nd violation. . . . . . . . . . . . Student / Parent conference held.
3rd violation . . . . . . . . . . . . Student / Parent conference held. Student receives detention.
Additional violations . . . . . Student / Parent conference held. Student receives in-school or out-of-school suspension. Continued violations may result in a recommendation for expulsion.
Violations of the laws of the United States or of the State of South Carolina may subject students to criminal prosecution.
Lunch Visitors Welcome
Families are allowed to come to visit their child for lunch. Parents will sign in with the front office with your drivers license, sit at reserved tables and enjoy lunch with their child. Friends are to remain with the class. Once lunch is finished, students will leave with their class and parents will sign out with the front office.
If your child's school fees have yet to be paid, we kindly ask that those be taken care of at this time. To pay school fees, follow the directions below to log into PowerSchool’s Parent Portal to view and pay school fees.
- Log in to Parent Portal You must access Parent Portal on an Internet browser to pay fees. You can not pay fees using the Parent Portal app.
- Under the Navigation menu on the left-hand side of the screen click on the School Fees and Forms icon, which should be near the bottom of your screen.
If you applied for free/reduced lunch and received an approval email or letter, please bring it by the school or email it to Ms. Shealy at tlshealy@lexington1.net to waive school fees. If approval letter is not received, school fees are the responsibility of the parent/guardian to be paid online through the parent portal website.
Photo ID Required
Early Dismissals - Prior to 2pm
Early Dismissals of a student will need to be before 2:00 pm and in person. We can not take any dismissal requests over the phone. A driver's license will be needed as well as be on the approved contact list in order to dismiss a student.
UPCOMING DATES / EVENTS
Now - School Fees Due (See Above For Payment Link)
September 9 - Arts in Education Week
September 11 - PTO Pastries With Your Patriot (A-K) 7am
September 11 - PTO Chipotle Spirit Night 4-8PM
September 12 - PTO Pastries With Your Patriot (L-Z) 7am
September 12 - Bus Evacuation Drill
September 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
September 17 - Constitution Day
September 19 - Fall Picture Day
September 20 - Fall Book Fair
September 20 - POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 25 - CP Day 11:20 Dismissal
September 27 - PTO Chick-Fil-A Biscuits Sales 7AM
Each week, students are nominated by teachers and staff for exemplifying our school motto of "Be Kind, Work Hard, Be Brave". Their names are put in for a weekly drawing to be recognized for being caught doing good! Here are this week's Spotlight students! Who will get caught next week?
Autumn was caught being kind
Everett was caught being brave
Weston was caught working hard
Jude was caught being brave, being kind and working hard
Adella was caught being brave
Wade was caught working hard
Allison was caught working hard
Marcellus was caught being kind
Millie was caught working hard
Gabby was caught working hard
Gunner was caught working hard
Annabell was caught being kind
Reader Leaders
Ms. Hornbeak's 4th grade students practiced reading in partners and writing summaries. They did a great job and found this a very effective way of learning.
STEM Spaghetti Towers
This week fifth graders in STEM completed the spaghetti tower challenge, they learn key principles of engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. The challenge emphasizes the importance of creating a strong, stable base to support the weight of the marshmallow at the top. Students discover that while height is a factor, the real success comes from balancing structure and strength, with an understanding of how weight distribution affects the overall stability. Through trial and error, they gain hands-on experience with concepts like tension, compression, and collaboration to achieve a common goal.
Go Mouse
In first grade, STEM students began learning how to code using Go Mouse, an exciting introduction to basic programming skills. By coding the mouse to navigate mazes, they developed critical thinking, problem-solving, and sequencing skills. Learning to code at an early age is important because it builds a strong foundation in logical thinking and creativity, helping students approach challenges with a growth mindset. This hands-on experience not only reinforces their learning but also prepares them for future technological and academic success.
Run Hard is an 8 week after school kids running program that builds confident kids by training them to finish a 5k and teaching life values.
Attention families with preschool-aged children — Family Engagement for PreK is a 14-week family engagement program for parents/caregivers of 3- and 4-year-old children who are not currently enrolled in a Lexington One preschool program. The parent and child participate together in weekly learning activities at the school that help build skills for preschool and beyond! The fall session begins the week of September 9, 2024, and ends the week of December 16, 2024.
There is no cost to participate, and space is limited!
Scan the QR code to the left or click here to complete the interest form.
CHANGE TO BREAKFAST
- Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria daily from 7:00-7:30. It will no longer be free to all students. If you choose to eat breakfast at school, the cost is $1.90 or $0.30 for reduced cost. If you are interested in applying to see if you qualify for free or reduced lunch, please see the information below in the newsletter.
SEPTEMBER ELEMENTARY BREAKFAST
◆ Breakfast - $1.90
Reduced breakfast - $0.30
Additional breakfast for students is $1.80
SEPTEMBER ELEMENTARY LUNCH
◆ Lunch - $3.40
Reduced lunch - $0.40
Additional lunch for students is $3.30
STUDENT MEAL PRICES
Student meal prices are as follows:
◆ Breakfast - $1.90
- Reduced breakfast - $0.30
- Additional breakfast for students is $1.80
◆ Lunch - $3.40
- Reduced lunch - $0.40
- Additional lunch for students is $3.30
Breakfast for a week will cost $9.50
Lunch for a week will cost $17
Thank you for making sure your child's account has money on it to avoid it going in the negative. You may send in money for the cafeteria, add money over the phone via card by calling (803) 821-0153 or by
About Us:
Website: https://sc50000473.schoolwires.net/Page/45
Location: 479 Oak Drive, Lexington, 29073
Phone: (803) 821-0100
Facebook: facebook.com/oakgrovepatriots
PTO Facebook: Facebook.com/OGE Patriots Pto
X: @ogelementary
Instruction Begins 7:30 AM
Dismissal 2:20 PM
Lexington County School District One’s Nondiscrimination Statement
Lexington County School District One’s
Nondiscrimination Statement
Revised 06-02-2023
Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians, staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or any related medical conditions), color, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, genetic information, national origin, immigrant status or English-speaking status, marital or family status, or any other protected characteristic as may be required by law.
The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to respond to complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The district designates specific individuals to handle inquiries or complaints. To find out whom to contact and how to contact them, please go to our website at http://www.lexington1.net/contact-us.