The Eagle Eye May 2023
Oak Grove's Monthly Parent Newsletter
Get in Touch!
Email: first.last@cherokeek12.net
Website: https://www.cherokeek12.net/oakgrovees
Phone: 770-721-8550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakGroveSTEAMacademy
Twitter: @OGESeagles
Principal's Post
Hello Parents,
Today was a spectacular day at Oak Grove STEAM Academy! We had our Greenhouse Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with special guests including Superintendent Dr. Hightower, some of our PTA Board Members, and some members of the Rotary Club of Woodstock. The Oak Grove PTA and the Rotary Club donated funds to purchase the greenhouse and the cement slab where it sits . Our students loved the ceremony and especially the large scissors used to cut the red ribbon. We all look forward to our students’ opportunities to learn about and use our greenhouse as we continue our Project Zero Hungry to address the problem of hunger in our local community.
It’s the last month of school, so please encourage your students to continue to work their hardest, do their best in school, and demonstrate SOARing behavior. Finish strong!
Thanks,
Penny Valle
Important Dates in May
5/1-5/5 – Teacher, Para Pro, Media Specialist Appreciation Week
5/1-5/5 – Georgia Milestone Testing for 4th Grade
5/1 – 3rd Grade Field Trip to Truist Park, 9:00 am-1:30 pm
5/3 – 2nd Grade Field Trip – Etowah Indian Mounds, 9:00 am-1:30 pm
5/4 – KK Field Trip to Zoo Atlanta, 9:00 am-1:30 pm
5/5 – PTA School Store, 7:30 am-8:15 am
5/5 – Lunchroom Ladies and Lunchroom Monitor Appreciation Day
5/8-5/12 – Georgia Milestone Testing for 5th Grade
5/8 – 4th Grade Field Trip to Sparkles Skate Center, 9:30 am-1:30 pm
5/10 – Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
5/10 – Nurse Appreciation Day – Nurse Ashley Webster
5/15 – Field Day – Kindergarten & 1st Grade
5/15-5/17 – Georgia Milestone Makeup Testing
5/16 – 5th Grade visits E.T. Booth, 9:00 am-11:30 am
5/16 – Field Day – Preschool
5/17 - Menchie’s Spirit Night
5/17 – Field Day – 2nd & 3rd Grade
5/18 – Field Day – 4th & 5th Grade
5/19 – Career Day, 9:00 am-1:30 pm
5/23 – Virtual Curriculum Night, 6:00 pm-6:30 pm, Canvas & You Tube
5/23 – Kindergarten End of Year Celebration, 12:00 pm, gym/classrooms
5/23 – 5th Grade Celebration Ceremony, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm, gym
5/25 – Last Day of School
CONGRATULATIONS! To the following students whose artwork was selected to represent Oak Grove at the Cherokee County Art Show:
Bianca L. Dayanna R. Camilla T. Jackson H. Isabella H. Jayleen R. Daniel F. Cesar L. Allisyn H.
Brock M. Eva D. Alyssa S. Lezlie S. Londyn K. Cameron S. Isaac P. Sherlyn M. Damian G.
Jozefina G. Sofia S.
Preventing Summer Brain Drain- A Note from Oak Grove's Instructional Lead Strategist
What’s missing from summer slide research is the positive impact that other kinds of learning that takes place over the summer has on students’ brains. Students can learn important skills during the summer from their families, friends, and communities that aren’t measured on academic tests. Relationship skills, community service skills, and even practical math skills used to play games will support learning and school success. As a parent or educator, the most important thing you can do for your student this summer to prevent "summer brain drain" is to engage their brains in stimulating and creative activities to offset the effects of constant screen time.
Parents can take several simple steps to prevent the "summer brain drain." In fact, as little as 2-3 hours of educational time per week during summer vacation can help prevent any learning loss.
Simple activities to help overcome summer learning loss can include:
- Limiting Screen Time: Research shows us that too much screen time is bad for developing brains and social skills.
- Practice writing and developing handwriting skills: For younger students, this can be as simple as writing a few sentences about the day and illustrating it. Parents can help with spelling and conventions. For older students, this can include writing paragraphs in a journal, creating a scrapbook, or even working on a series of short stories.
- Summer reading: Reading during the summer is practically a guaranteed way to prevent summer learning loss. In fact, reading doesn’t have to be time consuming to make a difference. Research conducted by the National Literacy Trust found that, “Reading for just 10 minutes a day is enough to have an impact on a child’s learning.” Whether it’s a book club, listening to an adult read, listening to an audiobook, reading independently, or reading out loud to the family- it is good for preventing learning loss! Students will have access to Raz Kids through June. Weekly visits to the local library are a great, free option for students that need access to books over the summer.
- Cook with your child: Cooking is an activity that is highly beneficial to help a child improve mathematical skills. Including your child in cooking requires them to practice reading directions in order, measuring ingredients, baking with shapes, and they must keep up with cooking times! (Students will have access to iReady math online lessons through June.)
- Embark on educational trips: Not only will educational trips keep your child away from watching television and playing video games, but they also help to avoid summer slide. If you can’t physically travel to your favorite museum, you can take advantage of the many virtual tours available online. Did you know you can visit the Natural History Museum, NASA Mission Operations Room, or Stonehenge virtually?
- Encourage creative and thoughtful play: Learning doesn’t always have to include the formal “desk” style of learning. Not only does creative play have wonderful social, emotional, and developmental benefits, but it can also be a useful tool to help your child overcome learning loss. Try implementing Family Game Night! Card games and board games are great for math skills, strategic thinking, and logic skills. Lego’s are great for building fine motor skills and critical thinking.
Lauren Caccavone
Oak Grove Elementary STEAM Academy
Instructional Lead Strategist
A note from Oak Grove's PTA
President: Chelsea Queen
VP #1 Alie Pearigen
VP #2 Rebecca Soto
VP #3 Leslie Ventura
VP #4 VACANT
Secretary: Sara Fair
Treasurer: Kristen Pullen
We are still in need of a 4th VP, if you are interested in volunteering for the position, please contact the school's principal Mrs. Valle at penny.valle@cherokeek12.net
THANK YOU for attending Bingo night! the evening was a success!
A note from Mrs. Lewis in the Media Center
The Etowah Zone media specialists are excited to collaborate with Rose Creek Library for their annual Hype Night. Come on out and see what Rose Creek Library has to offer parents and students.
It’s going to be a free fun-filled time…I’ll be there.
Digital Citizenship Parent Engagement
Learn together about Digital Footprints.
Click here for May's Lunch Menu!
How would you like to be able to monitor your child's progress in school?
Click here for directions on how to set up your Parent Canvas Account.
for further assistance, please contact Ana Mirsajedin, Parent Engagement Coordinator at:ana.mirsajedin@cherokeek12.net