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| The Acorn Newsletter
The Monthly Newsletter from Oak Grove Elementary |
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Monthly Acorn Sponsor: Nature Cleaning Services
call: 404.315.9475 | |
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Dear PTA Members,
We are headed into the second half of our school year with a great start. The students and teachers are all back and starting to prepare for CRCT testing.
Thanks to all of you, our book fair was amazing. Karen Leff and Kellie Bechara did a fabulous job and exceeded their own goals. All upper grade classrooms along with Ms. Deery and Ms. Card now have Will boards up and working. Thank you to Andy Morris and Beth Burgess for all their continued effort and support! Our PTA Meeting this month concluded with a wonderful cultural arts assembly by Capital City Opera.
As we head into 2010, we want to encourage everyone to come to the next General PTA Meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:00pm in the cafeteria. As always, Oak Grove will only get better because of its caring and involved parents. We welcome any help you would like to offer and appreciate any concerns you choose to convey.
Gratefully,
Robin Fink and Danielle Goselin
Your Oak Grove PTA Co-Presidents
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Dear Parents,
Oak Grove was recently notified that it is a third time recipient of a Bronze Award for student achievement as part of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement's Single Statewide Accountability System awards for 2009.
While we celebrate the accomplishments of last year, teachers have been asked to review the goals established for this year. Overall, Oak Grove has set goals to increase the percentage of students in the "exceeds" category in each curriculum area on the CRCT. To accomplish this goal, teachers must review student data to identify areas of weakness and develop a plan to strengthen the students in these areas.
Teachers may ask parents to assist in the classroom, but parents may also help their own students at home by helping their child access the online CRCT practice tests (teachers will send home information about how to login to this program); by reviewing the social studies personalities studied by each grade level (this list is available on the school's website), and helping your child review key vocabulary concepts in each curriculum area (lists available on the Oak Grove website). We appreciate your support as working together is the key to helping your child improve academically.
Second semester is always busy as in addition to the focus on academics, our students also look forward to upcoming special events like the Geography Bee, Field Day, Career Day, and the many music programs in the classroom that occur at the culmination of the year.
Another important part of the second semester each year is to begin preparation for the following year. Very soon you will receive announcements from the PTA about tour dates and information concerning the upcoming Kindergarten and First Grade Round-Ups, as well as 2010- 2011 registration packets for all students.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make each day at Oak Grove count to improve our students' learning and help them become productive, well-adjusted citizens of our nation and world.
Sincerely,
Charlene Burger, Principal | |
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Oak Grove Foundation Q&A with Katie Bell, Oak Grove Foundation Chairperson
By Mara Maddox
What is the purpose of the Foundation?
The long range goal of the foundation is to establishing a self-sustaining endowment for our school. However, in the short term we are addressing two things: outfitting all Oak Grove teachers with interactive Wii Smoothboards, and addressing any critical budget cuts that might affect our school. It is very clear that in this current economy Dekalb County has a limited amount of funds to support our school. The Foundation can work to make up the difference financially; it can also facilitate the difference between a good education and an exceptional one. Our public school system must serve many different purposes; the foundation will serve one purpose: advancing student excellence, at Oak Grove Elementary.
How will the Foundation differ from other fundraising from sources like the PTA?
The Foundation can raise funds and build an endowment over a long period of time, hire staff and pursue (through grants and donations) larger projects such as facility improvements, additional staffing (band, orchestra, language instruction),and major technology improvements. The PTA monies are used to support annual school functions such as Ice Cream Social, Movie Night, School Dance. At times the PTA can provide extra funds to address immediate school needs (new copier, floor buffer etc)
What drew you to chairing this and how do you think Oak Grove will benefit?
I really believed that Oak Grove was full of untapped potential. The team that has gathered around this initiative is just outstanding. It's remarkable that in just six months we have launched this foundation,
established a board of directors, started a capital campaign (which has raised almost $20,000), launched a website, put together a silent auction and hired a grant writer...all of that in the midst of a toxic recession,
pretty amazing. I'm excited to see what next year will bring.
Will students and parents see immediate results? How soon will the Foundation's plans be implemented?
We are already working with a grant writer, but those projects have a long lead time. We also hope to use funds from the Silent Auction (March 12th) to purchase as many Wii Smoothboards as possible.
What are the top initiatives of the Foundation that we will see in 2010 (lang. lab, computers, etc.)?
We wish to get the entire school outfitted with Wii Smoothboards and actively pursue larger grants based on input from teachers. |
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Spotlight on Cultural Arts
By Angie Rendueles
Oak Grove Elementary students, family, and staff were introduced to Opera at the last PTA meeting. Following the PTA business at the January 12 meeting, Capital City Opera performed A Seuss some Twosome. Professional Opera singers brought to life two Dr. Seuss favorite stories: Gertrude McFuzz and Sam I Am. A packed house enjoyed the kid-friendly performance while 6 lucky student volunteers participated in the opera.
The PTA Cultural Arts Chair, Stacey Lucas, and Ms. Burger worked together to bring the opera to our school through Young Audiences Arts for Learning, the educational outreach arm of Capital City Opera Company. Atlanta is home to CCOC, whose artists have been performing for over 20 years. By performing A Seuss some Twosome, Capital City Opera Company hopes children will learn the importance of keeping an open mind and loving yourself just as you are.
Stay Tuned for more Cultural Arts at Oak Grove! A dance troupe will be performing in 2 assemblies in February in honor of Black History Month. |
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A Special Remembrance: Hirsch Goldberg, Oak Grove Grandfriend
By Dana Haggas 
Hirsch Goldberg was the Grand Friend for Mrs. Graham's First Grade class for the past 8 years. Faithfully, he would spend one hour reading with the class every Thursday morning. Mr. Goldberg valued his time with the class which was evident in the enthusiasm that he brought with him each week. He dressed in suspenders and funny ties befitting the most recent holiday or the subject of the books they were reading.
Mrs. Graham remembered that, after many days of rain, he wore a fish tie which really brought smiles to the children's faces. His desire to connect with the children was truly evident one year. The class was reading "If I Were a Pirate", so he donned a pirate costume. Starting an annual tradition for this particular book, he also read in costume once for the entire First Grade.
Married for 53 years, Mr. Goldberg was a stockbroker and his hobbies (besides being a great Grand Friend) were woodworking and latch-hook rugs. Several years he had a woodworking project that he made for each child in class. The first year it was birdhouses, a tool box a few years ago and, in 2007 for Mrs. Graham's birthday, he carved a puppet in his likeness.
Every Thursday after reading with the children, Mr. Goldberg would ask them to be quiet as he shared his weekly "Knock Knock" joke. He was committed to his role as Grand Friend and encouraged the kids in their reading. It was hard to tell if the children or Mr. Goldberg were more excited for their time together. Each year, as the school year ended, he would place a medal around each of the children's necks, reminding them that "every one of you is a winner". The children would in turn write letters to Mr. Goldberg thanking him for being their Grand Friend.
November 19 was Mr. Goldberg's last visit as a Grand Friend. He passed away on Sunday, November 29. When Mrs. Graham attending his Shiva, Mrs. Goldberg had all of the letters from the children spread out for her to see how much each one meant to Mr. Goldberg. It was no surprise to Mrs. Graham that he valued his time with the children. A couple of weeks later, during the weekly regular Grand Friend time, Mrs. Goldberg and their two daughters came in his stead to distribute the work in progress for the shelves he was building for the class this year.
Mr. Goldberg truly was a GRAND Friend to Mrs. Graham's classes over the past eight years providing a great example of commitment and caring for others. |
| Indoor Fun During Chilly Winter Weather
By Maryjayne Carter and the Nutrition and Wellness Committee
 1. Fondue - Dig out the fondue pot and all share in putting together a fondue. It's always fun to spear some tasty goodies into the fondue pot while sitting in front of a crackling fire. 2. Special Meal - Go through the pantry and fridge to see what kind of yummy, creative meal you can all come up with. Everyone should have a hand in the preparation and cleanup, as well as the eating. 3. Picnic Lunch - Pretend it's summer and have a picnic lunch on a blanket in the middle of the living room. Bring out all the stuffed animals for a touch of the outdoors. 4. Puzzle - Take out that 1000 piece puzzle, spread it out on the kitchen table and dig in! 5. Board Games - Dust off Candyland, Monopoly, Scrabble and whatever other board games you've forgotten in the closet. Pour some hot cider and let the fun begin. 6. Movie - Push "PLAY" on a movie and snuggle up together on the sofa. Push "PAUSE" every twenty minutes for a snowstorm update. 7. Sock Puppets - Go through the sock drawers for a handful of orphan socks. Get some yarn, buttons and big fat needles. Have fun creating wacky puppets and then put on an equally wacky puppet show. 8. Arts and Crafts - Take out a little of this and a little of that (tissue paper, old greeting cards, glitter, you name it) plus some glue and let the kids go creative. A large empty corrugated box from the garage can really stir up the imagination. 9. Hide and Seek - Bring out the inner kid in you and join them. The kids will find hiding places you never dreamed of, so set safety limits. 10. Photo Albums - Pull out the old photo albums, sit around the table and show the kids what you looked like at your high school prom. They'll love the old photos of Grandma, Grandpa and the rest of the family too. 11. Build a Fort - There are always enough blankets around to build an awesome fort. Naturally, the soldiers inside will need yummy supplies from the kitchen to help them survive the cold winter. 12. Snowflakes - No two snowflakes are alike. Bring out the white copy paper and a few scissors and have a blast creating your own snowstorm indoors. Hang them around the house for a winter wonderland both inside and out. Source: Nina Spitzer is a SheKnows.com columnist and a freelance writer living in sunny Cave Creek , Arizona | |
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