PANTHER PRESS

Dear Ogden Avenue Families,

Thank you to all the families who attended Curriculum Night last week. Your involvement in your child's education is greatly appreciated. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher. Specific curriculum information is provided below for your reference.

In an effort to align our efforts with your expectations, throughout the year we'll be offering opportunities for you to provide feedback. Once we gather the main themes, we will let you know what specific steps we plan to take to address the feedback. Thank you for taking the time to complete our September 2024 Family Feedback Form which will be sent home via email later this week.

Sincerely,

Regina Leeberg

Principal

SEPTEMBER

9/4/24 - K-4th Max Greenfield Author Visit at Park (1 p.m.)

9/4/24 - Parent Teacher Council (PTC) Meeting 7 p.m. in LRC

9/23/24 - Smile! It's Picture Day

9/26/24 - First Marla's Lunch of the year

• In the coming days, watch for a special edition of the Panther Press which will focus on expectations related to behavior and discipline. Last week, the District 102 Board of Education approved Ogden Avenue's Parent Handbook, and we'll be using it to highlight important information for you. This handbook contains important information about our school-wide expectations, bullying reporting process, restorative practices, and general disciplinary measures. Additionally, details will soon be shared about a new Ogden Avenue School Code of Conduct, which students will be expected to follow at all PTC-sponsored events. You'll also learn more about our school-wide theme for this year.
• Friendly Reminder: If there are any changes to your child's transportation arrangements, please reach out to our office at 708-215-6600. Teachers may not have constant access to their email during the school day, and we want to ensure your child's safety by having accurate and timely information. Relying solely on a student's recollection of after-school activities is not sufficient. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
• As a reminder, you're more than welcome to bring your child home for lunch. Lunch is from 11:20-12:10 on M, T, Th, F and 10:55-11:50 on Wednesdays. If your child will be leaving campus for lunch, be sure to sign them out in PowerSchool by 9:30 AM. Students cannot leave for lunch without a parent or guardian present.
• Starting this week, we will be conducting reading and math MAP assessments for our 2nd-6th graders. These assessments are one of many tools we use to guide our instructional decisions and support your child’s learning. Thank you for ensuring your child’s Chromebook is charged, and for making sure they are on time and present. Over the past few weeks, our younger students have also participated in various reading and math assessments. If we determine that your child could benefit from additional intervention services to address any academic gaps, we will reach out to you.
• Just to inform you, we conduct daily school-wide announcements each morning.The announcements include the Pledge of Allegiance, birthday shout-outs (thank you to the PTC for providing a birthday book to each student) and general reminders for the day. As of late, we've been providing reminders about hallway expectations. Before long, students will be able to participate in morning announcements.

To help us respond to your questions and concerns as effectively as possible, we encourage you to reach out first to the staff member directly involved. This approach allows us to provide you with the best support and ensures that your needs are met promptly.

Aside from your child's classroom teacher, here are some key contacts:

In District 102, our curriculum is carefully aligned with the Illinois State Standards to ensure that our students receive a comprehensive and high-quality education. Each grade level focuses on prioritized learning standards, offering specific content tailored to meet the needs of our students. This includes a strong foundation in phonological concepts, spelling conventions, grammar, along with fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, which are essential components of our literacy instruction. Beyond reading and writing, our curriculum encompasses math, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning standards, all designed to support the holistic development of every child.

Our Teaching and Learning website includes detailed information on a variety of important topics, including standards, grading and assessment practices, special education services, and more. The Talent Development section provides an overview of the identification process, ensuring that we recognize and nurture the unique abilities of all students. To learn more about these and other key aspects of our curriculum, please visit the Teaching and Learning Department website. This resource is designed to help families stay informed and engaged in their child's educational journey.

Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education uses multiple measures to rate public schools across the state. Schools receive a summative designation of Exemplary, Commendable, Targeted, or Comprehensive. ATTENDANCE is one of the measures used to determine each school's summative designation, which is made available to the public at the end of each October. One significant way to assist us is by refraining from scheduling vacations during school days and, whenever possible, try to arrange doctors' appointments and essential commitments outside of school hours.

It's important for you to be aware of the percentage of school your child has missed, so we will keep you updated by sending notifications if your child's absences are increasing at a rate that may eventually be considered chronic. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, "Illinois law defines a chronic absentee as a student who misses 10 percent of school days within an academic year with or without a valid excuse. That's 18 days out of an average 180-day school year."

Your child's attendance is of utmost importance because...

Attendance significantly impacts your child's educational journey. Regular attendance ensures that they receive consistent instruction, engage with their peers, and have the opportunity to fully participate in all classroom activities. It sets the foundation for academic success and fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline.

Moreover, your child benefits from valuable lessons in time management and commitment when they consistently attend school on time. They develop essential life skills that will serve them well in the future.

In addition, high attendance rates contribute to a positive and productive learning environment for all students. Teachers can better tailor their instruction, and students can establish strong bonds with their peers, making the school experience more enriching and enjoyable.

Your active support in maintaining excellent attendance is greatly appreciated. Together, we can ensure your child's educational journey is filled with opportunities for growth and success. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to your child's education.

Please notify the school of any and all absences, illnesses, doctor appointments, vacations, etc. This can be done by emailing ogattendance@dist102.k12.il.us or by calling the attendance line at 708.215.6624. Even if you've already informed your child's teacher about an absence, please also notify the attendance office.

Thank you for helping us reduce our absence rate. Attendance matters!

1. Drop Off/Pick Up in Designated Zones: Please use the designated drop-off/pick-up zones. This helps streamline traffic flow and keeps students safe.

2. No Parking in Drop-off Zones: Do not park in drop-off/pick-up zones as it hampers the arrival and dismissal process and creates congestion.

3. Do Not Park Near Stop Signs: Parking near stop signs obstructs visibility and poses safety hazards. Please refrain from doing so.

4. No Three-Point Turns: To maintain orderly traffic flow, we ask that you refrain from making three-point turns in the streets surrounding Ogden.

5. School Bus Safety: Never pass a school bus with its stop arm extended. This is vital for the safety of all children.

6. Utilize Crosswalks: Please use crosswalks when crossing streets around the school. It promotes pedestrian safety and models important safety procedures.

7. Playground Use During School Hours: For security reasons, we kindly request that adults and non-school aged children do not use the playground during school hours, ensuring we can account for all individuals on school grounds.

8. No Pets on School Property: To maintain a safe and distraction-free environment, we kindly ask that pets are not brought onto school property.

9. Biking on School Property: Remind your child to walk their bike on school property to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

Thanks to our PTC, we're excited to welcome author Max Greenfield, writer of Good Night Thoughts, who will be presenting to our kindergarten through 4th-grade students at Park Junior High on Wednesday, September 4th, at 1 p.m. If you're interested in hearing Max speak, he’ll also be at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove that same evening. For more information, check out THIS LINK.

PTC MEMBERSHIP DUES

Ogden's PTC has been actively working to support our teachers and students this year, and we've got some exciting plans on the horizon, including art enrichment programming, author visits, field trips, and more. You might not know this, but the PTC also assists our teachers by fulfilling their wish lists and they have purchased a birthday book for each and every Ogden Avenue Panther.

Your contribution to the PTC dues, which you can conveniently pay HERE, goes a long way. We primarily collect these funds in August and September to cover essential expenses like communication platforms, family events, and curriculum enhancements for our children. While the payment calculator is there as a guide, any contribution, regardless of its size, is greatly appreciated. You have the option to make your total contribution all at once. Your support truly strengthens our school community!

RED SLED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Do you:

• Own a Cricut machine?
• Love painting?
• Want to help the PTC but want the flexibility to do it on your own time in the comfort of your home?
• Don't mind thinking about winter in August???

If this sounds like you, we would love your help personalizing the red sleds for this year's fundraiser! The red sleds are one of the PTC's largest fundraisers and a beloved tradition in our community. With your help, we will be able to continue offering personalization of the sleds!

Please reach out to Erin Klunk or Holly Sokolowski if you would like to hear more about how you can help.

PLAYGROUND RENOVATION EFFORTS

Ogden's PTC is making significant strides toward a much-anticipated playground renovation. Click HERE to explore the project details and learn how you can get involved in this exciting transformation!