The 2011-2012 school year was a huge success! We have outstanding teachers, amazing students, and supportive and involved parents. We are certainly a Georgia School of Excellence and we are proud!
We have some changes to announce. I'll begin by sharing the bittersweet news of staff retirements and changes.
Elizabeth Mahfoud, who has taught special education in DeKalb for 38 years, is retiring. Kathy Corbett, a Kindergarten para at Oak Grove for 21 years is also retiring. They have played an integral role in the achievement of Oak Grove students for many years and we wish them all the best.
Laurie Kezh, one of our special education teachers has taken a job at City of Decatur Schools. Emily Pullman, a first grade teacher, has taken a co-teaching position at Greenfield Hebrew Academy. Christine Krivos, our school nurse is moving back to Ohio with her husband due to his job. And, as you know, our beloved school counselor, Torrye Reeves, is relocating to Baton Rouge, LA due to her husband's job. We will miss all of these wonderful staff members!
Looking forward to 2012-2013...The following staff placements are tentative due to the variety of budget proposals on the table for DSCD. Depending on the final outcome, I hope to staff each grade as follows:
PreK - Everett
K - Bolsen, Dukes, Vannoy, Walker, Welch
1 - Arcidiacono, Hinton, Hnat, Spears, New teacher
2 - Albright, Boykins, Clear, Kaufman, Shafer
3 - Clausen, Lee, McClintock, Plucker, New teacher
4 - Fields (SS), Hawkins & Impersine (Math), Koepke (Sci)
5 - Hopkins (Sci), Kennedy & Kuefler (Math), McCarthy (SS)
Instructional Coaches - Doss (Math & Gifted), Miller (Tech -p/t-)
The Inspired Classroom!We are so excited to announce an innovative technology approach in our 4th and 5th grade classrooms starting in August called the
Inspired Classroom....
"Inspired Classrooms is a new integration model that takes the teaching and learning enhancements found in 1-to-1 classrooms at the secondary level and puts them to use in "regular" classrooms at the elementary level. Moving away from a traditional classroom arrangement, the Inspired Classroom model brings four or five classroom computers from the perimeter of the room to the student's desks. The student desks are arranged in small groups that allow students to work cooperatively, and each group has dedicated access to a computer throughout the day.
This arrangement allows the technology to become an integral part of the learning process rather than an extra "center" or reward or project station. Short of a 1-to-1 environment, the Inspired Classroom model goes the distance in getting the technology in front of "most of the kids, most of the time," and seamlessly integrated into the teaching and learning process. We believe that Inspired Classrooms can be the catalyst that transforms the way we teach and the way that students are learning."
(source:http://inspiredclassrooms.wikispaces.com/About+Inspired+Classrooms)
Katy Miller, our p/t Instructional Technology Coach will work closely with our 4th and 5th grade teams at the beginning of school as we implement this new approach to the integration of technology into the regular curriculum.
Click here to read more.
iPads!The Oak Grove Foundation is working on the purchase of up to 25 iPads and a syncing cart! These iPads will be available for checkout by teachers to be used in centers or whole class activities. In addition, the school is purchasing 30 iPads with local funds. We will pilot the use of these iPads in our 2nd grade classrooms. Our 2nd grade teachers have consistently demonstrated a commitment to technology integration and team collaboration. We are excited to see how they make use of iPads to enhance instruction and will use their experiences to drive future decisions regarding technology acquisition. Finally, the school is purchasing more Promethean boards, PC laptops, and voters for schoolwide checkout and use.
I thank you all for another fabulous year! Let us continue to work together to make Oak Grove a place of Learning without Limits!
Have a wonderful summer (send me a postcard)!
Sincerely,
Laura S. Neely, PhD
Oak Grove Elementary
1857 Oak Grove Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30345
