9/23/24 OG NEWS

What a Happy Monday this is! Today, the United States Department of Education formally announced that our school district was named a National Blue Ribbon School for Exemplary High Performing Schools. This is only the second time in school history, the last being in 2016-17, that Oak Grove has received this recognition. It is the highest honor that any school can receive. Typically, this means that our students have performed in the top 1% of all schools in the entire United States, not just Illinois. It is a true honor and a testament to the dedication of our teachers, staff, parents, and community for their support of our amazing school.

District representatives will attend the award ceremony in Washington, D.C., in early November. As we did in 2016, the school will plan a ceremony to celebrate this wonderful achievement. At this point, details from the Department of Education have not been finalized, so more information will be coming. The information will also be supplied to local media in the very near future, but we wanted to share it with the Oak Grove community as soon as we heard the great news.

Congratulations to everyone who has supported Oak Grove. This is your award!

With Oak Grove pride,

Lonny Lemon & Jim McKay, co-interim Superintendents

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support and understanding as we continue to prioritize the safety of our students and staff. Recently, we implemented a teach-in-place and a closed campus protocol to ensure safety while maintaining the integrity of the learning environment.

For clarity, a teach-in-place means that while learning continues uninterrupted in classrooms, there are no transitions within the school—students remain in their current locations without moving to other classes such as PE or rotations. During this time, all external and internal doors remain locked.

A closed campus allows for normal teaching to continue in the classroom while transitions, such as moving between rotations and PE, may occur as needed. These protocols are designed to maintain a calm and safe learning environment while our staff provides support and gathers the necessary information.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the safety and success of all our students. Your partnership is essential in making Oak Grove a strong and secure learning community.

This is a reminder of our upcoming Active Intruder Drill, which the state of Illinois requires to be completed within the first 90 school days. In collaboration with local law enforcement and potentially other first responder entities, we have tentatively scheduled this drill for Wednesday, September 25th.

Please click here for the September 2024 issue of the Fine & Applied Arts Newsletter!

Please click here for the September 2024 issue of the PE/Health Newsletter.

If anyone is interested in getting rid of gently used sports equipment, please email Rob Rendon (rendon@ogschool.org). Please note that this would not include items such as hockey sticks or baseball bats.

9/24/24 - 5th Grade Candor Presentation Informational Meeting (virtual) from 7:00 - 8:00

9/25/24 - Active Intruder Drill

Games of the Week

9/23/24 - Cross Country @ Millburn at 4:30 (Boys run first)

9/24/24 - 7th and 8th Grade Girls Volleyball vs Neal 4:30 - 7th Grade & 5:30 - 8th Grade

9/25/24 - Cross Country @ Butterfield at 4:30 (Girls run first)

9/26/24 - 7th and 8th Grade Volleyball @ Millburn 4:30 - 7th Grade 5:30 - 8th Grade

Athletics
Looking for information about upcoming games or events? Please check the Oak Grove Athletics Calendar or contact our Athletic Director, Dave Karolewicz, at karolewicz@ogschool.org.

Band
Please see our web page for dates & Links! Oak Grove band website for the most updated information.

Please click HERE to view the flyers in our virtual backpack. Flyers are updated weekly, so please check back often so you won't miss any of the events going on in our community.