The Tiger's Roar
November 2023

Orange Grove Families,
We have had so much fun and even more to be thankful for recently at The Grove! Sports championships, excellent school report cards, dances, parades, costume parties, golf tournaments, and a record-breaking Booster program that generated over $115,000 for the school! I honestly donβt know of a school out there that has more fun doing what it does than Orange Grove. In my opinion, having fun and celebrating success is such an important part of a positive school experience for both the kids and adults alike.
I want to thank Mrs. Gladu at the middle and Mrs. Schaffer and Ms. Williams at the elementary campus for doing such a fantastic job recognizing and honoring our Veterans. To those of you whom have served in our nation's armed forces, we thank you. Your commitment, service, and sacrifice will always be recognized at The Grove.
Please click here for a slide show honoring the veteran family members of our elementary students and staff. We'll also be sharing highlights from last Thursday's Middle School Veterans Day Ceremony later this week on Instagram.
As we gear up for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays, I always take a moment or two to reflect on our blessings as a school community. The Grove is a special place and I can say that as both a parent of two OG alumni and as an administrator who has had the honor of leading this organization for over 16 years. We cannot do what we do without you and your continued support. As always, thank you for supporting The Grove. It is a privilege to lead this organization.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season.
John H. Clendaniel
CEO
In This Issue
- Did You Know.... Wear The Groove shirt for Throwback Thursdays
- PTO Information Holiday Shop is Back!
- Upcoming Dates & Announcements Angel Tree is now open
- Congratulations! October Employee of the Month, Dorothy Kitchens, & Q1 Award Winners
- OG Tigers Athletics November newsletter plus our Athlete of the Month!
- Library Updates Storybook Character Ornament Contest
- Happenings @ The Grove 2nd Grade Pumpkin Projects, Middle Red Ribbon Week & more
......that every Thursday students may wear jeans with their The Groove tie-dye t-shirt?
Thanksgiving Feast
We are looking forward to hosting the Middle School faculty and staff this Thursday. There are still a few volunteer slots available. If you haven't had a chance to sign-up yet and would like to help, please click on the link below.
Middle School Duty Free Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 16
Thank you in advance for your support!

Coming soon: Holiday Shop @ The Grove!
PTO OGCS Holiday Shop
December 4th - 8th at the ElementaryDecember 11th - 12th at the Middle School

NOVEMBER
November 14: PTO General Meeting / Kindergarten Performance 6:00p @ Elementary
November 15: OGCS Charter Board Meeting 6:00p @ Elementary
November 16: PTO's Duty Free Faculty & Staff Thanksgiving Feast @ Middle (sign-up to volunteer)
November 17: Early Release: Elementary - 11:40a & Middle - 12:15p
November 20 - 24: Thanksgiving Break / No School
November 27 - 29: 5th Grade Barrier Island Camp
November 29: Middle School Make-Up Pictures / PTO Board Meeting 1:50p @ Elementary
November 30: Elementary Make-Up Pictures / Last day to order 8th grade yearbook ads
DECEMBER
December 1: Early Release: Elementary - 11:40a & Middle - 12:15p
December 4 - 8: PTO Holiday Shop @ Elementary
December 5 & 7: Middle School MAP Testing
December 8: Last day to submit Middle School Spring Sports forms to Coach Matos / Q2 Progress Reports home with students
December 11 - 12: PTO Holiday Shop @ Middle
December 13: OGCS Chorus Winter Concert 6:30p @ WAHS
December 14: Charter Board Meeting 6p @ Elementary
December 15: Elementary Holiday Sing-a-long 8a
December 17 - January 1 : Winter Break / No School
January 2: Teacher Workday / No School
January 3: Students return
View the 2023-2024 OGCS Calendar here.

School Picture Information
PLEASE NOTE: The standard picture package is included with school fees, so there is no need to order through Jostens. These pictures will come home with your student a few weeks after picture day and includes the following prints:
- 1 - 8 x 10
- 2 - 5 x 7s
- 8 wallets
If you would like to order additional photos, you can do so for a fee. Look for an email from Jostens a few days after your student's picture day for more information. You can also order additional photos using your student's picture code listed on the Jostens form that came home from school before picture day.
Missed your picture day? No worries! Make-up picture days will be held Wednesday, November 29 @ the Middle and Thursday, November 30 at the Elementary.
If you have any questions, please email Tanessa Fisher or call the school at (843) 763-1520.
8th Grade Ads STILL AVAILABLE until 11/30! Make sure to purchase your 8th grade yearbook ad no later than November 30. For more details, click here. | Make sure to follow us on Instagram Keep up-to-date on all things Orange Grove! Follow us today @orangegrovecharterschool | Buy your OGCS 2023 - 2024 yearbook Only $45 now through December 31. Click here to order yours today! |
8th Grade Ads STILL AVAILABLE until 11/30!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram
Buy your OGCS 2023 - 2024 yearbook
Hiring Afterschool Counselors
OGCS Elementary Extended Day Counselor
- Competitive pay
- Hours: 2:00 - 6:00p on school days
- Flexible work schedule with reliable hours
- Weekends and most major holidays off
- Must be 17 years or older
- Child care experience preferred
For more information and to apply, please email Sarah Larsen, Elementary Extended Day Director. You can also reach her by calling the elementary campus at (843) 763-1520.
October Employee of the Month
Art
Elementary Campus
Congratulations, Mrs. Kitchens! Check out the video of Mrs. Kitchen's WTMN Employee of the Month interview with Mr. Clendaniel.
Celebrating our Middle School Students of the Month
Please join us in congratulating the Middle School Students of the Month for September and October! Click on the videos below to learn more about these awesome students and how they modeled their month's character trait.
Congratulations, October 2023 Character Cub Winners!

Back row (left to right) - Oliver A. (5D), Eden L. (2F), Everett L. (1G), Caden S. (B), Tye'Maine W. (5C)
Middle row (left to right) - Jackson H. (K6), Amelia L. (K4), Lily F. (K7), Vivianna W. (K3), Bryson G. (1A), Maddox L. (2B)
Front row (left to right) - Evan M. (K6), Rhett A. (K6)
Welcome to the November newsletter!
Hey there, Orange Grove Tigers fans! We're back with the latest and greatest in the world of sports, and it's time to celebrate our amazing athletes following fantastic volleyball and cross country seasons. Plus, we've got exciting news about the upcoming basketball season, spring sports registration, and a new addition - the Student Athlete of the Month!
November Student Athlete of the Month: Millie G.
Now, let's shine a spotlight on our Student Athlete of the Month, the remarkable Millie G. from our 7th-grade volleyball team. Millie's journey this season was nothing short of a Cinderella story. Her unwavering commitment to her team's success was evident when they upset the #1 seed and completed their fairy tale journey with a league title of their own. Millie's determination, sportsmanship, and leadership have left a lasting impact on her teammates and the entire Orange Grove community.
Millie G. embodies the essence of what it means to be a student-athlete. Her dedication in the classroom matches her excellence on the volleyball court. She's an inspiration to her peers, both athletically and academically. Congratulations, Millie, on this well-deserved recognition. Your journey and achievements have made us all proud!
Volleyball Season Recap
Our Tigers have been spiking, setting, and serving their way through an incredible volleyball season, and we've got some major highlights to share below.
π Future of OG Volleyball - 6th Grade: Our 6th-grade volleyball team was simply unstoppable, finishing the season undefeated with a remarkable 10-0 record. These young stars are showing amazing improvement and are ready to take over the scene next year. They've also proudly earned the title of "6th Grade League Champions."
π Cinderella Story - 7th Grade Volleyball: Our 7th graders had a season for the books! They started as underdogs, finishing 4th in the division. But what happened next was straight out of a Cinderella story - they upset the #1 seed and completed their fairy tale journey with a league title of their own. These Tigers are a testament to determination and heart.
π 8th Grade Volleyball - Next Level: The 8th-grade volleyball players have battled hard every game, showing immense dedication. It's time for them to take their talents to the next level in high school. These athletes are ready to leave their mark.
Check out the Volleyball Season Slideshow below, highlighting the hard work and dedication of our volleyball athletes.
Before we move on to cross country, let's take a moment to give a big shout out to our fantastic fall coaches who have guided our volleyball teams to success:
- 6th Grade Volleyball: Coach Erin Foushee
- 7th Grade Volleyball: Coach Jenelle Gordon
- 8th Grade Volleyball: Coach Kelsy Nigels
These coaches have been the driving force behind our teams, helping our student-athletes achieve greatness. Thank you for your dedication and commitment!
Cross Country Season Recap
Our cross country runners have been racing their way to success this season, and here's the scoop on their incredible journey:
πββοΈ 6th Graders Show Amazing Promise: The 6th-grade cross country team displayed incredible promise this season, improving their times in their final race at the Mt. Pleasant Trail Run. These young athletes are setting the stage for a bright future in Orange Grove cross country.
πββοΈ 8th Grade Boys Shine: The 8th-grade boys' team showcased their excellence, earning a podium finish. Their dedication and teamwork propelled them to success and made the Orange Grove community proud.

Coming up in Tiger Athletics
Basketball Season - Get Ready to Roar!
Now, it's time to switch gears as we look forward to the upcoming basketball season. Get ready to unleash your Tiger spirit and show your support as our basketball teams hit the courts! Stay tuned for game schedules, and make sure to be there to cheer on our incredible athletes. It's going to be a thrilling season filled with fast breaks, buzzer-beaters, and slam dunks (maybe).
Spring Sports Registration - Time to Shine!
Spring is right around the corner, and that means it's time to gear up for our exciting spring sports lineup, including soccer, baseball, softball, golf, and tennis. Coach Matos will be collecting registration forms until December 8th, so make sure to grab a hard copy from the school and secure your spot on the team. Don't miss this chance to be a part of the Orange Grove Tigers' legacy in spring sports!
Stay connected with Orange Grove Tigers sports by following our OG social media and be sure to attend the games to show your roaring support. Let's make this season one to remember!
Roar with the Tigers! π―ππββοΈ
Stay Connected
Stay updated on all the latest happenings and detailed schedules of our volleyball and cross country teams by following us on Instagram and our school athletics website:
https://sites.google.com/a/ogecs.com/ogcs-middle-athletics/
Athletic Director / Middle School PE Teacher
Have library-related questions?
2nd Grade's National Park Pumpkins
Check out the video below for highlights of this annual, fan-favorite project!

ABC Fashion Show with K1 & K7
Take a look at the video below for all the sweet smiles and alphabet fun.
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