The Tiger's Roar
March 2024
Dear Orange Grove Families,
I hope this message finds you well as we look ahead to another fantastic month at The Grove!
We are excited to announce that our Middle School Robotics Team (pictured) has again qualified to compete against 200+ teams nationwide, plus 20+ teams internationally, at the World Championship in Houston, Texas next month. They earned their spot by being selected as the 2024 Inspire Award Winner at the State Championship earlier this month. These eight students and four coaches will fly to Houston with their robot for four days of competition that begins on April 17.
Orange Grove is committed to covering all expenses associated with getting our students and coaches to and from the competition. Stay tuned for upcoming communication on how you can support our talented team on their journey to Houston.
With the 3rd quarter of the school year drawing to a close, we are anticipating the arrival of Spring Break and gearing up for an exciting 4th quarter. Among the highlights will be the return of Spring Fling on April 13 and The Auction on April 20. I encourage you to secure your Silent Auction tickets ASAP, as this popular event tends to sell out quickly.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to each of you for the unwavering support you provide as parents and guardians. Your involvement and support of school events, class parties, fundraisers, or simply ensuring your child is prepared for each day, is instrumental to the ongoing success of The Grove.
Thank you for your dedication and partnership.
John H. Clendaniel
CEO
D I D Y O U K N O W . . . .
...that Orange Grove is this week's Count On 2 Cool School?
Last Wednesday, the Elementary campus hosted Count On 2's Octavia Mitchell for a special assembly where our students and staff were able to share just a few of the many reasons why The Grove is such a cool place. Tune in this Wednesday and Friday morning, and again at 4:00p, to see Orange Grove featured as the Cool School of the Week!
Catch a sneak peek of the broadcast in the OGCS Cool School video.
In This Issue
- Thank You, Sponsors! - A huge thank you to The 2024 Auction sponsors!
- Congratulations! - Celebrating Q2 Awards & Perfect Test Scores; Robotics headed to Houston; Middle School shines for National History Day.
- Upcoming Dates & Announcements - OG Summer Camp registration now open; Jr. Beta Club joins Walk for Water; Support The 2024 Auction with extra March style days.
- Important Reminders - School Climate Parent Survey now open; Spring Fling returns this April.
- OG Tigers Athletics - March Athlete of the Month, Whit H.; Elementary basketball wrap-up; Spring season highlights.
- Library news you can use! - Scholastic Book Fair coming later this month!
- Happenings @ The Grove - 2nd Grade steps out as Famous Americans.
- OGCS PTO Information - Nothing Bundt Cake fundraiser success!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Second Quarter Awards
Click on the Q2 Awards video to view the 3rd - 8th grade students who were recognized during last month's award ceremony for their 2nd Quarter accomplishments.
2023 Perfect SC Ready Test Scores
During the first semester awards ceremonies in February, Mr. Clendaniel, with Dr. White and Dr. Holmes at the Elementary and Mr. Schonveld at the Middle School, recognized students who received a perfect score last year on their spring standardized testing. Congratulations!
4th Grade
Pictured above, from left to right: Miller S. (Math), Robin Y. (Math), Gray P. (Math), Eli H. (Math), Christopher A. (Math)
5th Grade
Pictured above, from left to right: Davis W. (Science), Nicholas P. (Science), Yafi H. (Math & Science), Noah C. (Math), Easton J. (ELA), Henry R. (Math), Evan S. (Science)
6th Grade
Pictured above, from left to right: Brendan S. (Math), Amelia S. (Math), Max L. (Math), Lucas A. (Math), Claire E. (Math)
7th Grade
Pictured above: Thomas S. (Math)
8th Grade
Pictured above, from left to right: Holden E. (Math & ELA), Clark W. (ELA), Riley A. (ELA), Brooke B. (ELA - currently attends West Ashley High School)
February Employee of the Month
6th Grade ELA
Middle Campus
Congratulations, Mrs. Shively!
Check out Mrs. Shively's WTMN Employee of the Month interview with Mr. Clendaniel.
Terrific Kids @ Elementary
Learn more about our stellar February Terrific Kids and find out why they were chosen to represent their class this month in the February Terrific Kids video.
Middle School Students of the Month
Get to know these awesome Middle School students and learn how they modeled this month's character trait in the February Middle School Students of the Month video.
February Elementary Character Cub Winners!
Back row (left to right) - Medaly R. (3C), Stephany S. (3E), Olivia C. (3A), Jasmine J. (5F), Justice D. (5E)
Front row (left to right) -Alex T. (1C), Owen C. (2B), Wesley M. (K5), Holden M. (1D), Amelia M. (2B), Mac W. (2E), Drew M. (3D)
8th grade shines for National History Day
Last month, our 8th grade students participated in Orange Grove's second National History Day (NHD) competition. Taking place over two days in the Middle School Library, volunteers reviewed and judged projects in each category, parents and students gathered for an evening of project viewing and awards, and before the event came to an end on day 2, 6th and 7th grade students had a chance to experience first hand this year's projects.
Thank you to Mrs. Jamie Gladu (8th Grade Social Studies teacher and 2024 Orange Grove Middle School Teacher of the Year) for hosting another successful competition and to the many community members for taking time from their busy schedules to judge the competition.
Check out the National History Day video showcasing the unique and creative projects of our 8th grade students.
MARCH
March 12: March Madness Extra Style Day ($1 or more) / PTO General Meeting & 2nd Grade Performance 6p @ Elementary
March 13: Orange Grove's Count on 2 Cool School of the Week broadcast, morning & 4p
March 14: Easter Bunny Pictures @ Elementary (pre-order required) / OGCS Chorus 5th graders perform at the West Ashley Elementary Choral Festival 6:30p @ West Ashley High School
March 15: Early Release (Elementary @ 11:40a / Middle @ 12:15p) /Orange Grove's Count on 2 Cool School of the Week broadcast, morning & 4p
March 18 & 19: Orange Grove Book Fair preview @ Elementary
March 19: March Madness Extra Style Day ($1 or more)
March 20 - 27: Orange Grove Book Fair (view schedule/information)
March 21: Family Book Fair Shopping Night 3 - 6p @ Elementary
March 23: Junior Beta Club Walk for Water @ Riverfront Park
March 24: Chorus practice 2p @ Elementary
March 26: March Madness Extra Style Day ($1 or more) / Middle School Book Fair Shopping Day
March 27: PTO Board Meeting 1:50p @ Elementary
March 28: End Q3 / Charter Board Meeting 6p @ Elementary / Spring Chorus Concert 6:30p @ West Ashley High School
March 29: Early Release (Elementary @ 11:40a / Middle @ 12:15p) / Middle School Field Day
APRIL
April 1 - 5: Spring Break / No School / Offices Closed
April 8: No School / Teacher Work Day
April 9: PTO General Meeting & 4th Grade Performance 6p @ Elementary
April 12: Q3 Report Cards home with students
April 13: OGCS Spring Fling 11a - 3p @ Middle School
April 16: Kindergarten Field Day 8:15 - 10:15a / 3rd Grade Field Day 11:15a - 1:15p
April 17: 1st Grade Field Day 8:15 - 10:15a / 4th Grade Field Day 11:15a - 1:15p
April 18: 2nd Grade Field Day 8:15 - 10:15a / 5th Grade Field Day 11:15a - 1:15p / Charter Board Meeting 6p @ Elementary
April 20: The 2024 Auction 6-10p @ Francis Marion Hotel (Buy Auction tickets here)
April 25: OGCS Volunteer Breakfast 7:10 - 8a @ Elementary
April 30: SC Ready Testing (3rd - 5th grade) / Middle School MAP Testing
View the 2023-2024 OGCS Calendar here.
COMING SOON - 2024-2025 OGCS Calendar!
District 10 Choral Festival
Come watch our OGCS Chorus 5th graders perform during the WA Elementary Choral Festival this Thursday at 6:30p.
Spring Chorus Concert
Join us for another spectacular OGCS Chorus concert on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30p @ West Ashley High School
OG Summer Camp Registration NOW open!
Summer is around the corner and OG is ready! This year we will be offering 5 weeks of Summer Camp for all currently enrolled PLC - 7th grade students. For camp dates, pricing options, and more, check out our OG Summer Camp website.
Registration is now OPEN via RevTrak. Registration and enrollment are on a first come basis, so please be prompt with registering any campers. If you have further questions, please email Sarah Larsen.
The PLC is hiring!
The Preschool Learning Center at Orange Grove is seeking loving, experienced Child Caregivers to start immediately. Click here for more details and to apply.
Book Fair this month!
Recycle USED Clothing & Shoes at the Middle!
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 15% of clothing waste is recycled annually. The remaining 85% ends up in landfills—equaling up to 17 billion pounds of unnecessary clothing waste each year.
Keep your used clothing and shoes out of landfills while helping earn money for Orange Grove. Look for the green recycling bin, located in the Middle School front parking lot, and drop off any unwanted items on the list below. For every pound recycled, Orange Grove receives money back - it's that easy!
Support OGCS Junior Beta Club in Walk for Water
The Orange Grove Middle School Junior Beta Club is holding a homeroom fundraising competition to benefit Water Missions International. The competition began last week and continues through March 15, with the top homeroom winning breakfast.
In conjunction with this, we have created an Orange Grove Middle School team that will participate in the Walk for Water on Saturday, March 23 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. If your student(s) and any other friends and family members would like to participate in the Walk for Water, please register for the Walk for Water and be sure to join the Orange Grove Middle School Team.
If you cannot attend the event but would still like to donate, please send in your donation with your student for the homeroom competition or donate directly through this link: Orange Grove Middle School Walk for Water Team Page. If you have any questions, please email Laura Patrick.
Important Reminders
Complete your School Climate Survey TODAY!
The 2024 South Carolina School Climate Parent Survey is now open and offers families the opportunity to share their feedback about Orange Grove. This vital information will help us better serve the needs of our students and families in the future and will also be shared on our School Report Card.
Parents/guardians can access Orange Grove’s School Climate Parent Survey via their PowerSchool Parent Portal. View detailed instructions on how to access the parent survey here. It should only take a few minutes to complete the survey and families may submit one survey for each student enrolled at The Grove.
Please make sure to complete your survey no later than April 12, 2024.
Thank you for your support!
Yearbooks are going fast!
Click here to order your OGCS yearbook today. Make sure to get one before they sell out.
Follow us on Instagram
Keep up-to-date on all things Orange Grove! Follow us today @orangegrovecharterschool
Throwback Thursdays!
Don't forget that every Thursday, from now through June, students may wear any style day bottoms when paired with their The Groove tie-dye t-shirt.
OG Tigers Athletics
March Sporting Success: Celebrating Team Achievements
Greetings, devoted Tigers enthusiasts! Dive into the latest exploits of our Orange Grove athletes in this issue filled with excitement and team spirit.
March Student Athlete of the Month: Whit H.
Congratulations to 8th grader Whit H., our standout baseball player, for earning the title of Student Athlete of the Month! Whit boasts an impressive batting average of just over .700 for the season, contributing significantly with a home run, 5 RBIs, and scoring 9 runs.
His outstanding performance exemplifies the dedication and skill that make him a true asset to the Orange Grove Tigers.
Let's give a resounding cheer for Whit's exceptional achievements!
Winter Basketball: Elementary Wrap-Up
Elementary Boys Basketball: A Perfect Season! 🏀🏆
Applaud the extraordinary journey of our Elementary Boys Basketball Team, led by Coach Eppehimer and Coach Romberger, who ended their season as undisputed CHAMPIONS with an impeccable, undefeated record. Their collective commitment and persistent effort have led to well-deserved success. Catch a glimpse of the Elementary Boys Basketball Team in action against Charleston Day here.
Elementary Girls Finish Strong! 🏀🐯
Congratulations to our Elementary Girls Basketball Team for their strong finish this season! These ladies worked hard as a team, under the leadership of Coach Floyd, ending with a 7-3 record. We know big things are ahead for this group!
Enjoy highlights of the Elementary Girls' big 24-1 win over Blessed Sacrament here.
Spring Season Update
Soccer Spotlight: Team Excellence ⚽
All witnessed the exceptional performance of OG Soccer, marked by outstanding teamwork on the field, as they wrapped up their season last week. Notable leadership from 8th grader Jamari E. (pictured) and 6th-grade goalkeeper Graham F. has been instrumental in the team's success.
Baseball Brilliance: OG Black and OG Orange ⚾ (schedules)
On the baseball front, OG Black and OG Orange have secured noteworthy victories. Graham B.'s game-winning run for OG Black and Whit H.'s colossal 3-run home run for OG Orange were game-changers. Stay tuned for the gripping finale, as both squads strive to conclude the season on a high note.
OG White Baseball: The Final Surge! ⚾ (schedule)
OG White Baseball has been putting in the grind all season, and they've been gearing up for a conclusive surge as the regular season draws to a close. Players are determined to finish strong, and their hard work has been evident in every game. Rally behind them as they aim for success in the final leg of the season.
Tennis Triumph: Pursuit of Excellence 🎾 (schedules)
Kicking off their season last week, OG Tennis is taking center stage. In yellow ball, 7th grader Kate C. and her teammates are eager to secure back-to-back conference championships. The anticipation is high for some riveting court battles, as they showcase their skills and determination. View our OG Tennis Teams schedules and stop by to cheer on our Red, Orange, Green & Yellow Ball teams!
Golf Glory: Striving for Victory ⛳
Our OG Golf Team wrapped up their first match this past Monday at Daniel Island CC. 6th grader Brendan S. led the way with a team low score! They will be hosting their next match at Shadowmoss GC today, Monday, March 11 beginning at 4:30. We hope to see you there!
Softball Spectacle: Season Finale ⚾ (schedule)
OG Softball, led by 6th grade pitcher Caroline E. (pictured), continues to dazzle with their stellar performances. As they strive to conclude the season on a powerful note, brace yourselves for more thrilling moments on the softball diamond.
📢 Stay Connected and Cheer on Our Tigers! 📣
Parents, mark your calendars and gear up to witness the exciting journey of our young athletes! To stay updated on game schedules, match highlights, and all things sports-related, make sure to regularly visit our school website and follow us on Orange Grove social media. Your support and encouragement mean the world to our teams!
Come join us, cheer on our Tigers, and be part of the roaring crowd as our talented athletes showcase their skills on the court. Your presence and enthusiasm make a significant difference in our students' sporting experience!
Athletic Director / Middle School PE Teacher
Library news you can use!
Upcoming Teen Events @ Hurd/St. Andrews Library
Hurd / St. Andrews Library: Children's Newsletter
Check out all the Children's Area events happening in March at our local CCPL library.
Have library-related questions?
Happenings @ The Grove
Orange Grove Families,
We wanted to express our sincere thanks for making the Nothing Bundt Cakes Fundraiser another great success this year. We sold over 3,350 bundtlets and 50 cakes, raising about $7,000 for our school!
Your continued support of Orange Grove and the OG PTO is incredible, and we truly appreciate each and every family! Because of your support, The Grove is able to in turn support your students in unmatched ways! We hope you and your customers enjoyed your sweet treats, and we look forward to bringing this fundraiser back next year!
We are so grateful!
Orange Grove PTO
Upcoming PTO Events
Our next Board Meeting is on Wednesday, March 27 at 1:50 pm at the Elementary campus. The board will be discussing plans for the remainder of this school year as well as next year's open board and committee member positions. Join us and learn about the many ways you can get involved. If you are unable to attend in person, a Zoom link will be available. Please email ogcsptopresident@gmail.com for details.
Join us for our next General Meeting on Tuesday, March 12 @ 6p at the Elementary campus. 2nd grade will also be performing during the meeting.
PTO website
For all things PTO at The Grove, make sure to visit our Orange Grove PTO website. You can find event information, meeting dates, volunteer opportunities, and more, so make sure to check back often!
Click on the logos below to learn more about our business partners who generously support The Grove. Thank you!
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ORANGE GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL
1225 Orange Branch Road, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763 - 1520
Middle Campus
505-B Arlington Drive, Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852 - 7929
Email: tigers_roar@orangegrovecharter.com
Website: www.orangegrovecharter.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/orangegrovecharterschool/