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| February 2010 |
Issue No. 5 |
| The Acorn Newsletter
The Monthly Newsletter from Oak Grove Elementary |
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Dear Parents,
Second semester seems to go by quickly as we are already making plans for Kindergarten Round-up and other activities associated with getting ready for the next school year.
As we look to next year, it is also important to reflect on some of the things accomplished this year. Specifically, this article will focus on the improvements made in the building itself, some of which are:
- New paint for the hallways
- New desks and chairs for many of the classrooms
- New professional style chairs for all staff members
- New carpet for front office area
- New floor tile for teachers' lounge and clinic
- New tables for the cafeteria
Technology enhancements were also provided and include:
- Eight ActivBoards
- Two new lap top carts with 22 computers each
- New computers and ActivBoard for the media center
- PTA has funded and installed Wii smoothboards in classrooms in 5th, 4th, and 3rd grade classes that did not have an ActivBoard.
Teachers have received training in the use of the Discovery Learning website that provides educational information in many academic areas and at many different levels. The teachers also received training on the use of the digital camera to enhance instruction and in the use of the Compass Learning website to provide enrichment or remediation tailored to the level of the student.
While we continue to have needs in the area of technology, we are pleased with the gains that have been made this year.
Other requests that have been approved but not yet implemented are:
- Sinks, water fountains, and commodes replaced in all areas of the school
- New security doors
- Front driveway repaving
We expect that these things will be completed within the next few months as the contracts have been approved for them.
Last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the current school building and like any structure that has been in use for that period of time, it continues to have needs for updating and remodeling. We have made significant progress, but will continue evaluating what changes need to be made. Of course, the building is just one part of what we think of when we refer to a school. Next months' article will discuss other areas of the school where there have been changes.
Sincerely,
Charlene Burger, Principal | |
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Top Five Reasons to Attend the Oak Grove Foundation Silent Auction Dinner
5. It's the best date night value in town---drinks, dinner and entertainment all in one.
4. You can't miss the chance to bid on two hours in Delta's Flight Simulator or the stunning freshwater pearl necklace.
3. Get out and socialize with our fabulous teachers.
2. It sure beats sitting at home dining on pizza.
1. Every dime earned will support the mission of the Oak Grove Foundation. |
Oak Grove Geography Bee Teams Take Top Honors!
Can you name Georgia's largest county? Well, our 3rd/4th grade Geography team can! Oak Grove's Division I (2nd grade) and Division II (3rd and 4th grade) geography teams took top honors in the Dekalb County Geography Bee on February 20th.
The teams prepared over the past couple of months and their hard work really did pay off. Team coach for Division II, Mr. Kuefler, assigned each student a different Georgia tourist attraction and had them make tourist brochures at home. Each child had to make enough copies of their brochures to give to each teammate. The kids produced brochures on such attractions as Alpine Helen, Providence Canyon, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and many others! It paid off, too! One of the questions in the bee was about Providence Canyon, and our team scored the points for getting it correct!
Ms. Impersine, team coach for Division I also used innovative games to prepare the team. "We did quick practices each day using the game 'Around the World'. The students had fun with this and it only took a few minutes of our time. The students stand in a circle and compete against a partner to answer a question. The first to answer correctly goes head to head with the next person in the circle until they've made their way back to their original spot. If they miss the question, they stay in their current spot. The first person to make it 'around the world' is declared the winner," said Ms. Impersine.
Team co-captain, Jenna G notes "It was cool that a ton of kids could come and compete. It was also cool how much you could learn. It was just a cool experience. The best thing was not just winning, but was knowing I had fun and all my hard work paid off."
Congrats to Division II 1st place winners: Anna B, Alex B, Lalitya D, Cole D, Jenna G, Gus K, Jasmine M, Ryan M, Jack P, and Patrick S. We also congratulate our Division I 2nd place team Ritu R, Jared C, John X, Andrew N, Jake G, Xavier K, Jenny Z, Lucy B, Divya D, and Victoria L.
Please keep your eyes peeled for Geography Team try-outs early next fall. The try-outs are very competitive and there are only 10 students in the 3rd/4th grade division.
And, how about those Georgia tourist destinations that the 3rd and 4th graders researched? I think a trip to Providence Canyon is in order! |
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Walking to School: The Social, Physical and Environmental Benefits
By Susan Henderson, Co-coordinator Safe Routes to School
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is now well into its second year and it has been a great success. I was recently inspired by the "G" family, who live on Marann Dr., 1.5 miles away from school. Parents Ken and Kay walk their daughter, Kyra (2nd grade) because they love to spend time together as a family. In the morning their schedules are flexible, so if the weather is nice, they all talk as they walk and have some great family time. "We feel wonderful afterward." The social time spent together is only part of the walk to school program. Kids love to see other kids on their way to school. A 20 minute walk "connects" parents as well as children! Kyra G says, "I feel like I have more energy when I get to school. I love to talk to my friends when I meet them walking." Kyra brought out a fact that is proven, the more physical activity you do, the higher your energy level is.
Another walker is Mia W, a kindergartener who has walked every day from the parking lot at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church (OGUMC). The family lives on the other side of LaVista, so it is too far to walk the whole way. According to her parents, Jacqueline and Chuck W, "walking to school is a way to become energized for the day. It gets the body and the mind moving and ready to learn. We chose the OGUMC parking lot because it shortens our drive time. Also, Mia went to preschool there. At the beginning of the school year, it gave her a familiar starting point for her school day." They even walk in inclement weather, "unless it's a downpour, we put on our rain gear and hit the sidewalk. Mia loves walking to school. It's a very social event - seeing her friends and the crossing guards. It gets her ready for the day."
So, you roll out of bed and turn off the alarm clock. Ugh, another day, and so early! The last thing you feel like doing is walking to school but there are your kids, bright eyed and chipper, asking you to walk to school. (This is what happened to me in October 2008 when my kids came home from pre-K and announced that we were walking the next day). Another scenario: you are an enthusiastic, athletic mom who wants her kids to be the same, but now it's them who are still in bed when the alarm goes off. You go into their room and they pull the covers back over their head. "Let's walk to school!" you say. They groan. How can you get them motivated?
First of all, there are some solid reasons why you should walk to school.
1) Increased physical activity- children are receiving less and less activity in school. When it's cold, the teachers often keep them inside for recess. Physical Education is only three times a week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least 60 minutes to physical activity a day. More physical activity means healthier, more fit kids who are less likely to have chronic diseases in the future.
2) Decreased air pollution- cars driving through carpool and idling give off exhaust fumes which can contribute to upper airway disease.
How to motivate your child:
1) Provide incentives- stickers, pencils, a trip to a restaurant or a special playdate
2) Ms. Haase's Grover Marathon challenge can be filled up by walking to school
3) Get them to wear their SRTS t-shirt
4) Walk with other kids in the neighborhood- it becomes much more exciting then
How to motivate yourself (are you one of the people that groans when you think about walking early?)
1) Most importantly, remember that you are setting an example for your kids; your attitude will most likely be the one that they remember
2) You've gotten your exercise out of the way early and there is no need to travel in the car to work out
3) You save money by conserving on gas, car use (and not to mention the environment. With my calculation on http://www.metrotransit.org/resolve/costcalc.htm (driving my Honda Odyssey to LA Fitness at Toco Hills once a week), I would save $16.38 a month or $196.56 a year (gas, car wear and tear) by cutting out the driving once a week).
4) You can always drive and park behind the Oak Grove UMC
I volunteer for the Safe Routes to School committee because living in a walkable community is something I truly believe in. The energy and enthusiasm shown by our school has been wonderful and I look forward to seeing our program continue to grow. One rewarding aspect of the program is the hard data that we have collected: the parent survey in the fall of 2008, 18% responded that they walked regularly; in the fall of 2009, that percentage was up to 28%. We have visible improvements in place; the crosswalks, new traffic light and pedestrian light at Fair Oaks, and a crossing guard at Kirkland. Make no mistake: these were all infrastructure changes started by your comments and followed through due to your persistence. The committee is in the process of applying for another infrastructure grant, so stay tuned for more information. Until then, be safe and be seen! | |
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