Hello, Oak Grove Family, Versión en español aquí, النسخة باللغة العربية هنا, lToeo la Kiswahili hapaT, Версия на русском здесь, Versiunea in Romana
Wow! It has been a busy two weeks at Oak Grove! Our students have been actively engaged in field trips and a variety of fun, hands-on educational experiences that have brought learning to life both inside and outside the classroom. We are so proud of their enthusiasm and curiosity! As a friendly reminder, there will be no school on Tuesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day. We hope everyone enjoys the midweek break as we honor and remember those who have served our country.
Please also join us in celebrating our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Johannes, and our Instructional Assistant of the Year, Ms. Sefein, for their incredible dedication and commitment to our students and school community. In addition, this week we proudly celebrate Dr. Loehman, our school psychologist, during National School Psychology Awareness Week, recognizing her important work in supporting the well-being and success of all students at Oak Grove!
At Oak Grove, our teachers and staff work tirelessly every day to make a positive difference in our students' lives. Help us celebrate their hard work by submitting an Otter Staff Shoutout! Simply use this quick Google Form to recognize our Otterly Amazing staff—it’s a meaningful way to let them know the positive impact they’ve had on your child. 🦦💚 Be sure to check our website regularly to see the shoutouts and join us in celebrating the incredible people who make Oak Grove such a special community. 🎉
As we come closer to the end of second quarter of school, we remain committed to keeping student safety at the forefront of all we do, while maintaining open lines of communication and working closely with you to ensure that every child at Oak Grove receives the best possible education in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Warm regards,
Beverly Benton
2025-26 Year Round Calendars
Otter Happenings (English Calendar)
Acontecimientos de nutria (Spanish Calendar)
حداث قضاعة Arabic Calendar
Matukio ya Otter (Swahili Calendar)
Выдровые события (Russian Calendar)
Calendarul Romanesc (Romanian Calendar)
Staff Shout-Out - Mr. Garris
Thank you to Katie and Pearl Peterson for shouting out our Otterly Amazing 4th Grade Teacher, Mr. Garris! 🦦💚
Teacher of the Year - Ms. Johannes, 1st Grade
🎉🦦🎊Congratulations, Ms. Johannes, for being named Oak Grove’s Teacher of the Year! Ms. Johannes was named Oak Grove’s 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year because of her unwavering dedication, positivity, and deep commitment to her students and colleagues. Her peers describe her as an exceptional educator who consistently goes above and beyond—bringing energy, creativity, and compassion to everything she does. She makes learning interactive and engaging, ensuring every student feels valued, included, and safe in her classroom. Colleagues admire her professionalism, collaboration, and willingness to help others, noting her friendly and welcoming nature that instantly puts people at ease. They also recognize her strong family partnerships and the care she pours into making school events meaningful. Ms. Johannes is celebrated not only for her instructional excellence but also for being a role model whose kindness, enthusiasm, and passion for teaching inspire everyone around her.
Instructional Assistant of the Year, Ms. Sefein, Kindergarten
🎉🦦🎊Congratulations, Ms. Sefein, for being named Oak Grove’s Instructional Assistant of the year. Here are some things her colleagues shared about her! Ms. Sefein is being recognized for her unwavering positivity, kindness, and willingness to help others. Her peers describe her as a true ray of sunshine—always smiling, pleasant, and eager to lend a hand whenever needed. They praised her strong work ethic, teamwork, and readiness to step in, even when tasks are new or challenging. Colleagues also recognized her as a wonderful addition to both the Oak Grove community and the Instructional Assistant team, consistently embodying dedication, collaboration, and a joyful spirit that uplifts those around her.
School Psychology Awareness Week - November 10-14
School Psychology Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of our school psychologist, Dr. Jessica Loehman! Dr. Loehman plays a vital role in supporting our students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being every day. She helps students build coping and resilience skills, collaborates with teachers and families, and ensures that every child feels valued and supported. To show your appreciation, consider writing her a thoughtful card, surprising her with hand-picked flowers, or simply giving her a well-deserved high-five for all she does to make Oak Grove a safe, caring, and inclusive place for our Otters! 💚🦦
🎁 Spread Holiday Cheer: Otters Helping Otters Gift Card Drive for Oak Grove Families 🎁
This holiday season, you can make a direct difference for Oak Grove families who need a little extra support.
We are collecting gift cards to ensure every family in our community can experience the warmth and joy of the holidays. Your generous donation will give parents the flexibility to purchase essential items, gifts, or a special holiday meal. Please use the link below to sign up to pledge your donation. Gift cards should be delivered to the front office by December 1st.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABAD2FA5FFCF8-59046757-2025
🎁 Spread the Christmas Joy! Oak Grove 🎁 Family Gift Card Drive
This holiday season, you can make a direct difference for Oak Grove families who need a little extra support.
We are collecting gift cards to make sure every family in our community can experience the warmth and joy of Christmas. Your generous donation will give parents the flexibility to purchase essentials, gifts, or a special holiday meal. Use the link below to register and commit to making your donation. Gift cards must be delivered to the main office by December 1.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABAD2FA5FFCF8-59046757-2025
🎄 Requesting Holiday Assistance 🎄
If your family needs a little extra help with gifts or necessities this holiday season, you are invited to request assistance through our program. The donated gift cards will be distributed to participating families before students begin their winter break.
To receive support, please complete the brief Google Form linked below. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
https://forms.gle/nGptUewRzC4En2zD7
🎄Holiday Assistance Application 🎄
If your family needs a little extra help with gifts or essentials this holiday season, we invite you to apply for assistance through our program. Donated gift cards will be distributed to participating families before students leave for winter break.
To receive support, please fill out the short Google Form at the link below. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
https://forms.gle/nGptUewRzC4En2zD7
Transportation & Carpool Updates
Please remember that all transportation changes must be made by 3:00 PM. You may call the office at 919-387-4490 to inform us of the change, and we will ensure your child’s teacher is notified.
For the safety of all students and staff, please refrain from pulling around other cars in the carpool line unless it is an absolute emergency. We’ve recently had several minor fender benders caused by cars attempting to pass others that were still loading or had just loaded. Thank you for your patience and for helping us keep everyone safe during arrival and dismissal.
Congratulations to the Winners of the OGES PTA Reflections Contest
We are excited to announce the winners of the Oak Grove PTA Reflections Contest! These works have been submitted to the Wake Council PTA Reflections Contest. Winners and all participants will be celebrated at our Oak Grove Art Night on Thursday, December 4th.
Music Composition 🎤🎻🎶
Intermediate: Penny Brown, Arjun Ragavendra Kumar
Photography 📷📷📷
Primary: Maisie Johnston
Intermediate: Jeremiah Davis, Penelope Grissinger
Visual Arts 🎨🧑🎨🖼️
Primary: Josie Guerin, Maisie Johnston
Intermediate: Quinn Johnston, Keira Maley
Accessible Arts: Blake Carnes, John McGhee
We are so proud of all of our artists at Oak Grove. Thank you all for participating!
Calling All Future Otters! 🦦
Kindergarten Registration for the 2025–2026 school year begins October 15th! Families with children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2025, are encouraged to register early. Please see the flyers for information on how to register and how to prepare your child for Kindergarten. We can’t wait to welcome our newest Otters to the Oak Grove family! 💚
Families can set spending limits on MySchoolBucks
Remind families that they can set daily or weekly limits or turn off a la carte snack purchases entirely through their MySchoolBucks account. This feature gives families more control over cafeteria spending while still allowing students to purchase full meals.
From the Yearbook Club📔
The Yearbook Cover Contest is officially open! It is open to all students in grades 3-5. This year's theme is "Game On"! Remember that the works must be neat, in full color, and that you can mix different techniques. The works must be delivered to Mr. Carter by December 12.
Fifth Grade Families ONLY - Magnet School Information for Middle School
Please see the information provided by the Administrators at Wake Young Women's Leadership School and Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy.
Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy - Principal Walker
It’s Magnet Season, and we are excited to begin recruiting for our next incoming group of 2026-2027 Outstanding Women Leaders at Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy (WYWLA)!
Each year, we welcome new students in Grades 6–12 to join our amazing community of staff, students, and leaders. WYWLA is a single-gender, early college magnet school focused on academic access, rigor, acceleration, and leadership development. Our magnet theme is Leadership and is woven into everything we do as we celebrate the unique skills, gifts, and talents within every student.
We are proud to offer a supportive, challenging environment where girls grow into confident, compassionate, and capable leaders. Our honors academic pathway and strong focus on college readiness prepare students not only for academic success but also for lifelong impact.
Helpful Links to Share With Families
WYWLA Prospective Family Website
Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy - Principal King
It’s Magnet Season, and we are excited to begin recruiting for our next incoming group of 2026-2027 Leaders at Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy (WYMLA)!
Each year, we welcome new students in Grades 6–10 to join our amazing community of staff and student leaders. WYMLA is a 6-12 single-gender, early college magnet school focused on academic access, rigor, acceleration, and leadership development. Our magnet theme is Leadership and is woven into everything we do as we celebrate the unique skills, gifts, and talents within every student.
We are proud to offer a supportive, challenging environment where boys grow into confident, compassionate, and capable leaders. Our honors academic pathway, along with its strong focus on college readiness, prepares students not only for academic success but also for a lifelong impact. Applications close on December 12th.
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Useful Links |
⭐ PTA UPDATES⭐
🧥 Oak Grove Coat and Underwear Drive 🧥
Please donate new underwear and gently used/new coats to Oak Grove starting November 1st! Donations may be dropped off in the school's front lobby from Nov. 3rd - 21st and will support our Oak Grove community. Thank you!
♥️ Otters Helping Otters ♥️
Are you looking for a way to help others this holiday season?
We are collecting gift cards to donate to our very own Oak Grove families in need this holiday season.
Please help sign up here to help if you can. Thank you!