The Grove
Be Kind, Work Hard, Be Brave
Note From Principal Graham
Next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. We have planned themed days to celebrate teachers and staff for all that they do. Please take a look at the schedule below and have fun with our special dress-up days. We are also going to talk to the children during the morning shows about ways to spread some kindness towards our teachers and staff. For instance, maybe a note telling them thank you. It all builds into our motto: Be Kind, Work Hard, Be Brave.
Teachers are special people and Oak Grove is fortunate to have the teachers that we do. They give hours of preparation in lesson plans, give their entire heart to caring for each student and their wellbeing, and have shown strength and flexibility in what has been an unprecedented year. We thank each parent as well for giving their children the attention they needed during the beginning of the year when we had e-learning days and encouraging their children to give their all towards their studies at home on these days. Thank you!
Next week is teacher appreciation week and to help students celebrate their teachers and all that they do for them, we have planned a dress day for each day of the week. Show your teacher you appreciate them by participating in our Teacher Appreciation theme week.
State Testing Starts
LOOLA students are required to test face to face. Transporation will be provided if necessary. Look for more information from your child's LOOLA teacher with specifics.
Upcoming Important Dates
Kindergarten Enrollment Now Open
May 5 - 3rd Grade Writing Test
May 6 - 3rd Grade Reading Test
May 7 - Parent Survey Deadline
May 12 - 3rd Grade Math Test
May 13 - 4th Grade Writing Test
May 14 - 4th Grade Reading Test
May 17 - 4th Grade Math Test
May 18 - 4th Grade Science Test
May 19 - 5th Grade Writing Test
May 20 - 5th Grade Reading Test
May 21 - 5th Grade Math Test
May 24 - June 4 - Book Fair
May 31 - No School
Phasing Out Plexiglass
Parent Survey
Dear Oak Grove Parents,
Each year the South Carolina Department of Education conducts a survey on our schools. We would love your feedback and voice in this process as a strong partnership with families is instrumental in making our education system successful. Please take a moment and read the letter from our State Superintendent, Molly Spearman, to learn more about the impact of your voice in this survey.
24944_Letter to Families for Survey_English.pdf.
24944_Letter to Families for Survey_Spanish.pdf
As Mrs. Spearman states, "The results will be included in the school’s annual report card and will be used to inform decision-making in your school, district, and by state leaders. Your answers will be anonymous and confidential. School administrators will receive only a summary of the answers provided. If you are uncomfortable responding to any items on the survey, you may omit those items. The survey will take about ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Please read each statement and choose the best response from the choices given. As you read each statement, try to focus on the entire year and not just on recent or isolated events".
We are asking all parents to take 10-15 minutes to take this survey to help us continue to grow. Please visit the website: https://ed.sc.gov/surveys/parent-survey/
You will need this 7-digit code to school ID code to take the survey: 3201009
Thank you for taking the time to give us your honest opinions and feedback. We ask that all surveys are completed by Friday, May 7th.
Kindergarten Enrollment Now Open
Lexington County School District One enrollment for 5-year-old kindergarten for the 2021–2022 school year is now open. Families may enroll their students online this year for convenience and the safety of our students, their families, and our staff.
You can enroll your child in kindergarten here.
If your child turns 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2021, your child is eligible for 5-year-old kindergarten.
If your child currently attends a 4-year-old kindergarten program in Lexington District One, you do not need to complete this online enrollment process.
If you do not know which school your child is zoned for, go to our website at lexington1.net, hover over the “Schools” tab, choose the “School Locator” link and fill out your information.
To enroll your child, the following documents are required.
Child’s official birth certificate with parents’ name on it (not wallet or short certificate)
Completed South Carolina Certificate of Immunization
Proof of residency including a current utility bill/statement (for example, electric or water) showing your name and home address within the district
Your South Carolina driver’s license or other state or federal photograph identification
If you are unable to produce any of the documents listed above or complete enrollment online, please contact Megan Whittle at (803) 821-0104 or the Office of Student Services at 803-821-1029 to discuss alternative documentation that may be acceptable.
Preschool Race Day
P.E. News
Art Students Create A Kindness Quilt
Jacob was caught working hard and being kind.
Tatum was caught working hard and being kind.
Layla was caught working hard.
OGE Spirit Day- Every Friday
Students Need To Bring A Mask To School
No Outside Food
Book Fair is Coming!
Please Keep the School Nurse Updated ....... (803) 821-0120 / wrea@lexington1.net
it is important that we continue to monitor and contact trace for COVID.
Here is what we need to know:
1) If your student tests positive for COVID
2) If your student is identified as a close or household contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID
Please contact Wendy Rea, the school nurse, at 803-821-0120 or by email at wrea@lexington1.net to discuss the next steps.
Thank you for helping keep our school safe and healthy.
Helpful OGE Website Links
Hello OGES Families! While this is not new information, I just wanted to remind everyone of a few helpful sites that will help you stay informed with important information or give you information that may help you with your student.
School Website: http://oges.lexington1.net/
OGE Hub: https://sites.google.com/lexington1.net/oges-family-hub/home
School Counselor"s Site: https://sites.google.com/lexington1.net/ogescounseling
Facebook: Oak Grove Patriots
Twitter: OGElementary
As always, please feel free to contact me if you need any assistance! I can always be reached at mlewis@lexington1.net and at 803-821-0150.
4K Program Application Process Now Open
The application is available online at http://www.lexdistrict1.com/academics/preschool
or by dropping by the front office for a paper copy.
What will I need to apply?
- Child’s official birth certificate with parents’ names listed (not a wallet or short-form certificate)
- Completed S.C. Certificate of Immunization
- Current electric bill/statement showing parent’s name and home address within the district for proof of residency
- Parent’s driver’s license or other state or federal photo identification
Questions?: Feel free to call Ms. Whittle at (803) 821-0104 as she is happy to help you.
Attendance Guidelines for Parents
Free Breakfast and Lunch
LOOLA Meal Pick-up Sites
New meal pick-up sites for Online Learning Academy students
Starting today, the meal-pick-up locations for Online Learning Academy families changed.
The pick-up times remain 11 A.M.–1 P.M. each Friday, unless school is closed for a holiday. The pick-up sites are:
Carolina Springs Middle
Gilbert Middle
Meadow Glen Middle
Pelion Middle
White Knoll Middle
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.
All students are required to wear a mask.
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.
About Us:
Website: https://schools.lexington1.net/Domain/26
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.