Superintendent
August 1, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It has been a productive summer and I am so happy to welcome you back to Oak Grove Union School District for another incredible year. Over the last few years as Superintendent, I have been fortunate to have had the support of an amazing staff and community to meet our challenges with determination and a positive attitude. We grow stronger with each year and I am so proud of the many accomplishments our staff and students have made. We will continue to grow, reflect, and improve with our focus on student well-being and academic success. As an educator, parent, former Trustee, and community member for over 22 years, I am truly invested in the success of our district.
Academic & Enrichment Program
At OGUSD, we have refined our LCAP goals and strategically focused on our Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Program. Over summer, our staff participated in many professional development opportunities to better support students. Math study projects, MTSS Conferences, Restorative Practices, and Reading Intervention are just a few of the courses and learning we have engaged in. Additionally, we are proud of our enriching programs that enhance our instruction. We have art, music, garden, middle school electives, and athletics. In addition, we integrate guest teachers and field trips to support our academic program. We also have intervention support to help students meet their academic goals and grade level standards. Our Expanded Learning Program will be integrated into our Mighty Oaks Program which will add rich academic support and enrichment for our students.
Social Emotional Learning & Wellness
Students need to feel safe and welcome in order to make academic progress. At OGUSD, we are focused on supporting social emotional development with lessons and guidance from our counselors and social emotional learning curriculum. We have a full time counselor at each site as well as additional counseling support through Keystone Counseling Services to provide additional days of support. We utilize the Toolbox program at OGE and Character Strong at WMS. We also incorporate Welcoming Schools lessons. This year we are developing wellness spaces at each site to provide a spot for students to calm and reconnect during the school day.
Communication
There are so many outstanding things happening at our schools throughout the school year. Be sure to bookmark our recently updated website and keep an eye on your email for information about schedules, events, and the beginning of the school year paperwork that will need your attention. We will be using a new platform, ParentSquare, to share materials and communication. Make sure you download the app and check it regularly. All emergency communication and/or any school closure notices will be posted through this platform and on our website.
Safety
OGUSD takes its safety response systems very seriously. While students are here, learning and engaged in our before and after school programs, the campus is not open to the public. Our first priority is to maintain campus security and student safety. We have recently improved our facilities to monitor access as well as provided added safety and supervision with camera systems at our middle school. We require all visitors to check in at the front office when visiting classrooms or volunteering. Along with practicing regular safety drills we also have our updated Safety Plans on the website. Our principals will share site specific campus protocols and visitor information in their upcoming newsletters.
Staff
Our OGUSD staff works tirelessly to make our schools a place where your child wants to come each and every day. We want students to challenge themselves, to socialize, and to achieve all that they can achieve as learners. We all care deeply about the success of our children. We are lucky to have such a caring staff whose focus is on building positive relationships with each and every student!
Volunteer Opportunities
We encourage families to get involved in our schools. You can volunteer in the classroom, on campus, or through Oak Grove Education Partners (OGEP). OGEP is an incredible group of volunteers that supports fundraising efforts, field trips, and community events. To learn more about how to get involved, please reach out to your site principal or check out OGEP on our website.
In closing, I look forward to our continued partnership and another great year together! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have throughout the year. My email is astringfellow@ogusd.org and my office phone number is 707.545.0171 x301.
Sincerely,
Amber Stringfellow
Superintendent
