Funded Projects
With the help of the parents, community residents and businesses, Oak Grove School Education Foundation (OGSEF) funds targeted teacher-initiated program grants and school programs focused on engaging, empowering and inspiring children, teachers, administrators, parents and the community to advance to new levels of learning. Grants focus on the development of the whole child and enable teachers to differentiate programming in the classroom and incubate new ideas in areas such as:
OGSEF funds programs that go beyond the core curriculum. These programs often define the difference between a good and a great school. They unite the community, corporate partners, and the school around a common purpose of making our district a better place in which to live and raise a family.
OGSEF grants has funded over $150,000 for projects and grants over the last five years
- STEM
- Arts & Language
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Physical Activity
- Innovation & Creativity
OGSEF funds programs that go beyond the core curriculum. These programs often define the difference between a good and a great school. They unite the community, corporate partners, and the school around a common purpose of making our district a better place in which to live and raise a family.
OGSEF grants has funded over $150,000 for projects and grants over the last five years
- Science of sport curriculum
- Kindergarten Teachers “Daily 5” Professional Development
- Library Technology & Reading Resources
- “Rekenrek” Math Manipulative Racks
- Science SPARK Lab
- Robotics
- Dance & Yoga Instruction
- Audio Visual Technology
- Playground Renovation
- Cafeteria Improvement
- Community Service Projects
- Motivational Speakers
- And much more!
OGSEF Science Grant
Oak Grove second grade teacher, Cathie Saia, was awarded an inspiration grant from an anonymously financed Oak Grove School Education Foundation Science Fund. Mrs. Saia was asked to creatively use the grant to make Oak Grove a better school. “I was blown away that someone cared enough about a teacher’s opinion to go directly to her,” said Mrs. Saia. “To be honest, I was both honored and nervous.”
Mrs. Saia along with Anne Zahn, owner of High Touch High Tech, worked many hours this summer to develop a kindergarten, first and second grade “hands on” science curriculum that was aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). “I knew that my own science professional development was lacking so that got me thinking…what if some of our Junior High science experts actually taught these lessons in our classrooms? This would provide all of the K-2 elementary teachers with some “in the trenches” professional development.” Luckily, sixth grade science teacher Matt Oesch and eighth grade science teacher Anna Edelson eagerly jumped on board. The two of them, along with Anne Zahn, are now going into the K-2 classrooms once a week and teaching these lessons. Activities are taught by the expert science teacher and supported by the elementary classroom teacher. “I’m so thrilled that our K-2 teachers were as excited about this collaboration opportunity as I was! It really has been a team effort. First grade teacher, Wendy Miller, designed our science journal pages and kindergarten teacher, Kelly Sweeney, set up some organizational calendars on Google.” Each grade level will have 21 different lessons throughout the 2015-16 trimesters. All K-2 students will have lessons in the three science strands: physical science, earth science and life science. Second grade teacher, Colette Poore, stated “This is the best delivery of science we’ve had in years. It’s age-appropriate, engaging and aligned to the NGSS. The fact that scientists are coming in creates a “delightful chatter” from all the students. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
Oak Grove second grade teacher, Cathie Saia, was awarded an inspiration grant from an anonymously financed Oak Grove School Education Foundation Science Fund. Mrs. Saia was asked to creatively use the grant to make Oak Grove a better school. “I was blown away that someone cared enough about a teacher’s opinion to go directly to her,” said Mrs. Saia. “To be honest, I was both honored and nervous.”
Mrs. Saia along with Anne Zahn, owner of High Touch High Tech, worked many hours this summer to develop a kindergarten, first and second grade “hands on” science curriculum that was aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). “I knew that my own science professional development was lacking so that got me thinking…what if some of our Junior High science experts actually taught these lessons in our classrooms? This would provide all of the K-2 elementary teachers with some “in the trenches” professional development.” Luckily, sixth grade science teacher Matt Oesch and eighth grade science teacher Anna Edelson eagerly jumped on board. The two of them, along with Anne Zahn, are now going into the K-2 classrooms once a week and teaching these lessons. Activities are taught by the expert science teacher and supported by the elementary classroom teacher. “I’m so thrilled that our K-2 teachers were as excited about this collaboration opportunity as I was! It really has been a team effort. First grade teacher, Wendy Miller, designed our science journal pages and kindergarten teacher, Kelly Sweeney, set up some organizational calendars on Google.” Each grade level will have 21 different lessons throughout the 2015-16 trimesters. All K-2 students will have lessons in the three science strands: physical science, earth science and life science. Second grade teacher, Colette Poore, stated “This is the best delivery of science we’ve had in years. It’s age-appropriate, engaging and aligned to the NGSS. The fact that scientists are coming in creates a “delightful chatter” from all the students. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
The Oak Grove Green Screen Room
The Gala supports funding for teacher-driven grants that focus on innovative and differentiated curriculum. This year we have a spotlight project we are funding: The Oak Grove Green Screen Room. The Green Screen Room offers our students a unique opportunity to intersect creativity, technology, science, math and communications.
Green screen technology is the basis of the effects seen in everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the weather forecast. The Green Screen room will work in conjunction with the school’s computer lab to provide a high-end experience for students. Students will use these spaces for a variety of uses including learning the basics of multimedia production (stills, videos, audio), digital broadcasting, programming, and filmmaking. One of the purposes of these classes is to try the various equipment and software to determine the most effective ways of use. In addition, teachers will be able to use these spaces to support instruction.
Through the Green Screen room, students can focus on the curricular value of multimedia production that include:
In the future, students will need to be able to collaborate, communicate, create, and think critically. They need to be able to articulate themselves in both speaking and writing. They will also need to work in a collaborative environment, problem solve through careful analysis, and create original content. The use of multimedia production aligns to the Common Core standards in areas such as Writing Standards, Speaking and Listening Standards, Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas and Language Arts.
Lego Robotics
The 7th Grade Science By Design class is a hands-on learning rotation class focusing on science, technology, engineering and math activities. The robotics kits support these STEM activities and foster 21st Century learning skills such as technology utilization, creativity and collaboration. Students with previous experience are being utilized as student leaders to instruct other students and there is a possibility to interact with students around the world in the future.
Math Rekenreks
Rekenreks are also known as "Math Racks". The 2nd grade students utilize the manipulative to develop and support their conceptual thinking about addition and subtraction. The Rekenreks can be used to model number strategies that range from simple to complex, allowing the teacher to differentiate learning for students
SPARK Science Lab
The SPARK System is an all-in-one mobile device that utilizes software and sensors to facilitate in-class experiments, and allows students to enter and manipulate data, and graph outcomes. The SPARK System is being utilized on a pilot basis in 7th grade science classes. Additionally, other teachers will receive training on the use and benefits of the system.
Cafeteria Upgrade
Funds raised at the 2010 Gala were directed toward initiatives related to improving the teaching/learning environment at Oak Grove School. It has long been acknowledged that the cafeteria environments are less than ideal. With strong support of staff and administration, this project will be directed toward developing and implementing improvements to both cafeterias with a long-term goal of creating multi-purpose rooms for school and community use. While aesthetic improvements will be the most obvious change, the upgrades will also be directed toward reducing stress while encouraging student respect and self-discipline and increasing opportunities for socialization. In addition, measurable improvements will be seen in noise reduction while addressing issues related to safety and sanitation. Improvements will also be made to the District's recycling efforts as part of this initiative.
The Gala supports funding for teacher-driven grants that focus on innovative and differentiated curriculum. This year we have a spotlight project we are funding: The Oak Grove Green Screen Room. The Green Screen Room offers our students a unique opportunity to intersect creativity, technology, science, math and communications.
Green screen technology is the basis of the effects seen in everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the weather forecast. The Green Screen room will work in conjunction with the school’s computer lab to provide a high-end experience for students. Students will use these spaces for a variety of uses including learning the basics of multimedia production (stills, videos, audio), digital broadcasting, programming, and filmmaking. One of the purposes of these classes is to try the various equipment and software to determine the most effective ways of use. In addition, teachers will be able to use these spaces to support instruction.
Through the Green Screen room, students can focus on the curricular value of multimedia production that include:
- Media Literacy
- Student Voice
- Self-Expression
- Creation
- Collaboration
- Authentic Audiences
- Digital Storytelling
In the future, students will need to be able to collaborate, communicate, create, and think critically. They need to be able to articulate themselves in both speaking and writing. They will also need to work in a collaborative environment, problem solve through careful analysis, and create original content. The use of multimedia production aligns to the Common Core standards in areas such as Writing Standards, Speaking and Listening Standards, Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas and Language Arts.
Lego Robotics
The 7th Grade Science By Design class is a hands-on learning rotation class focusing on science, technology, engineering and math activities. The robotics kits support these STEM activities and foster 21st Century learning skills such as technology utilization, creativity and collaboration. Students with previous experience are being utilized as student leaders to instruct other students and there is a possibility to interact with students around the world in the future.
Math Rekenreks
Rekenreks are also known as "Math Racks". The 2nd grade students utilize the manipulative to develop and support their conceptual thinking about addition and subtraction. The Rekenreks can be used to model number strategies that range from simple to complex, allowing the teacher to differentiate learning for students
SPARK Science Lab
The SPARK System is an all-in-one mobile device that utilizes software and sensors to facilitate in-class experiments, and allows students to enter and manipulate data, and graph outcomes. The SPARK System is being utilized on a pilot basis in 7th grade science classes. Additionally, other teachers will receive training on the use and benefits of the system.
Cafeteria Upgrade
Funds raised at the 2010 Gala were directed toward initiatives related to improving the teaching/learning environment at Oak Grove School. It has long been acknowledged that the cafeteria environments are less than ideal. With strong support of staff and administration, this project will be directed toward developing and implementing improvements to both cafeterias with a long-term goal of creating multi-purpose rooms for school and community use. While aesthetic improvements will be the most obvious change, the upgrades will also be directed toward reducing stress while encouraging student respect and self-discipline and increasing opportunities for socialization. In addition, measurable improvements will be seen in noise reduction while addressing issues related to safety and sanitation. Improvements will also be made to the District's recycling efforts as part of this initiative.
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