The Grove
Be Kind, Work Hard, Be Brave
A Note from Principal Graham
Wow, I can't believe that September is almost over and we are going into October this week. Mark your calendars, we have several things coming up. On Friday, Oct. 9th we are having parent/teacher conferences. These will either be through zoom or on a phone call. Please look for information from your teacher about setting up a time to discuss your child's strengths as well as their goals for the coming year. School pictures will be occurring on Oct. 13th and 14th. We will be sending information in our school newsletter to our parents about school pictures for all students, including our LOOLA learners.
Masks Required
Please show the video below to your student as it shows the dos and don'ts of proper mask-wearing in the school.
Please Keep the School Nurse Updated
As we are in these unforeseen times of Covid and entering flu season, we are needing all parents to keep us informed of any signs of sickness in your household.
STUDENT OUT SICK?
If your child is absent from school due to illness, please call or email the school nurse letting us know what is wrong with your child. Please be specific with symptoms such as fever, cough/congestion, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea, etc. This will allow us to better keep track of the types of illnesses currently in the school.
ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD SHOWING COVID SYMPTOMS?
Please remember that if your child has a fever or any COVID-like symptoms, he or she will be required to go to the doctor for evaluation. In order to return to school, we will need a doctor’s note stating the student had a COVID test that was negative, the student has an alternative diagnosis and is being treated for that, or remain home in isolation for 10 days.
Also, please let us know if anyone in your household is being tested for COVID or has a positive diagnosis.
Contact the school nurse, Wendy Rea, at (803) 821-0120 or wrea@lexington1.net with any information, questions, or concerns. Thank you for your understanding.
Spreading Kindness
We remind our students each day to strive towards our motto of Be Kind, Work Hard, Be Brave. Our teachers and staff at Oak Grove model this motto every day. They have worked so hard to prepare for students to return to school whether face to face or virtual, provide a safe and comfortable environment for learning, and the constant planning and reflection to make sure the learning is meaningful and engaging.
Please consider taking a moment to spread kindness by thanking a teacher or any staff member. An email, phone call, or simple note can touch one's heart making their day. Your words are so powerful and it would fill their hearts with glee.
Don't Forget Your Water Bottle
Signature Page
Last week four important Title I documents were sent home with all of our face to face learners and sent out by email to all of our virtual learners. Included in one of the documents was a signature page that we need you to sign and send back in to the school.
The page (shown below) can be returned in any of the following ways:
1. Taking a picture of this page with your signature and emailing it back to mlewis@lexington1.net.
2. Signing the form and sending it with your student to give to their teacher.
3. Mailing to OGES, 479 Oak Drive, Lexington, SC 29073.
Your help with this is greatly appreciated! If you have already sent this document in, thank you!!!
Google Classroom
Below is a quick infographic if your student is having trouble finding Google Classroom on their launchpad.
Student Instructions for Authenticating in Zoom
Here are instructions for students to log into Lexington One's Zoom domain with a Chromebook. This is for students who have never taken this step before.
Students can also click on the screen that comes up with the link to follow that says "log in to join the meeting'. This link will take them through the same process as the login instructions. I'm sure all your students have seen this, perhaps yesterday or earlier, but may have been uncertain about clicking on the link.
Here are instructions for the iPad.
Once this step is complete, students will be able to click on a teacher's links and go directly into Google Classroom or any other designated and approved link as an authenticated user.
We hope these instructions are helpful, we truly want students to feel safe.
SeeSaw
The link below provides a great introduction of what seesaw is and how to use it. You will want to view in present mode, which is found in the top right corner of your screen.
DEAR
Join SIC
PTA Meeting
Wednesday, September 30th at 4pm
Please join us virtually. Link below.
(US) +1 617-675-4444 PIN: 541 661 748 2638#
Still Time to Order
Check out the new OGE spiritwear shirt design. Students and even parents can order one. They are only $10 and can be ordered online using the link below.
Show your support for OGE by joining the PTA. It only costs $5 to join.
CLEAR HERE TO JOIN THE PTA AND PURCHASE SPIRITWEAR:
Attendance Guidelines for Parents
Free Take Home Meals for E-Learning Days
All Lexington County School District One students can now receive free breakfast and lunch until December 31.
AA and BB students
- AA and BB students who want to take home meals for their e-learning days must complete a form at the following link: https://www.lexdistrict1.com/departments/food-service-and-nutrition/index.htm
AA students, parents must complete by 9 a.m. each Tuesday. See note below for upcoming change.
BB students, parents must complete by 9 a.m. each Thursday.
Online Learning Academy students
- Can also receive free meals. Parents of Online Learning Academy students must complete their form by 6 p.m. each Tuesday. The link reopens each Friday at 1 p.m for the following week’s meals. You can find that form here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd12KelNaIae9brhxAZsD-3CC2lk6Z2iPgQU9dJN8k6z7TmxQ/closedform
Online Learning Academy families can pick up meals each Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at any one of the district’s five designated drive-through locations (Carolina Springs Middle, Forts Pond Elementary, Gilbert Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, White Knoll Elementary). Online Learning Academy parents must show their student’s school identification card to pick up meals.
Looking Ahead:
Starting October 5, grades PK-2 that choose to complete the form, will do so by 9 a.m. Thursday and select PK-2 on the form. You will not see this option until October 5.
Parents with questions should email Ashley Summers at asummers@lexington1.net.
Safety Procedures
New procedures are in place to maintain the safety of our students, staff, and parents.
Parents may walk their child/children to the entrance of the school but we ask that you do not enter the building past the front office.
Students in grades 2-5 are required to wear a mask. If they do not have one, we will provide one for you before you enter the building.
Students in grades PK-1 will wear a mask when riding the bus, entering/exiting the school, and in the hallway. They are highly encouraged to wear a mask in the classroom but it is not required. Starting October 5, masks will be required for grades PK-1 at all times.
Children will have time throughout the day to clean their hands and also provide mask breaks as we know wearing a mask during the school day will be a new learning experience.
In order to keep our staff and students safe, we are not allowing parents/guardians to deliver lunch or other items during the day.
We will be practicing social distancing in the classroom.
The students will be in one classroom during the day observing the family model. Social distancing will take place as movement occurs in the hallway.
Since we are in the family-style model, we will be eating lunch in our classrooms. We will be unable to accommodate having guests come to school to each lunch with their child or visit the classroom.
All rooms are equipped with hand sanitizer installed on the walls and individual pumps. We ask that everyone use our school provided hand sanitizer.
Plexiglass is being installed for student desk areas. Grades PK-2 installed next week. Grades 3-5 will be installed by October 19.
About Us:
Website: www.oges.lexington1.net
Location: 479 Oak Drive, Lexington, 29073
Phone: (803) 821-0100
Facebook: facebook.com/ogelementary
Twitter: @ogelementary
Lexington County School District One’s Nondiscrimination Statement
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, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin or any other applicable status protected by local, state or federal law.
The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process 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.