Paws & Reflect Vol. 4
Oak Grove R-VI Newsletter May 2025
Parent Resources
Parent Resources Page of the Oak Grove School District Web Site. We hope you find the information to be helpful and informative.
Be sure to sign up for SIS Parent Portal Link. Contact the main office of the building that your child(ren) attend. You can access grades, attendance, lunch balances and schedules of your children.
https://oakgrove.ss10.sharpschool.com/departments/parent__student_resources
Dear Families,
As we move into the final week of the school year, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the incredible journey our students have taken — especially our youngest learners in Pre-K through second grade. What a year it has been!
We are so proud of the growth our students have made in reading and math this year. In reading, many of our Kindergarteners began the year learning letters and sounds — and are now reading simple books with confidence! Our first graders have blossomed into fluent readers, building strong comprehension and vocabulary skills, while our second graders are reading with expression, summarizing stories, and making connections across texts. In math, students have mastered foundational skills such as number recognition, counting strategies, and basic addition and subtraction. They’ve built a strong number sense and developed problem-solving skills that set the stage for future learning. Watching our students light up as they gain new skills and confidence has been one of the highlights of the year.
Alongside academic progress, we’ve seen tremendous social and emotional development. Students are learning how to express their feelings, solve problems peacefully, and build positive relationships with their classmates. Through daily routines, classroom discussions, and school-wide initiatives, they’ve grown in self-awareness, empathy, and resilience.
This spring has brought so many wonderful experiences — from field trips and hands-on projects to themed days, family events, and lots of playful learning. Our classrooms and hallways have been filled with laughter, creativity, and the kind of joy that only comes from growing together in a safe and loving environment.
To our incredible families — thank you for your unwavering support, partnership, and trust. Your involvement plays a vital role in your child’s success and in the strength of our school community. And to our dedicated teachers and staff — your passion, patience, and care make all the difference. You’ve helped lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning, and we are so grateful for everything you do.
As we wrap up the year, we celebrate the many milestones achieved and look forward to ending with smiles, celebration, and pride in how far we’ve come.
Enjoy your summer!
Mrs. Laura Oyler
Dear OGE Families,
As we come to the close of another incredible school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together and to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support.
This year has been filled with growth, learning, and countless moments of joy. It has been a true privilege to watch our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year.
Our dedicated teachers and staff have worked tirelessly to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child can grow.
As summer begins, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. Keep reading, stay curious, and don’t forget to make time for fun and play. We look forward to welcoming many of you back in the fall and wish our departing families the very best in their next chapters. Until then, have a wonderful summer!
GO PANTHERS!
Mrs. Raney
One Final Walk
OGMS walked into summer in high style! We celebrated so many wins this school year - from our successful sports teams, engaging clubs and student academic successes.
Our students rose to every occasion with dedication, integrity and high character. Our final days at school were filled with tradition, celebrations and fun! We continued our Wellness Day, which was a wonderful day of teamwork and skill building. We also spent time with our classmates, signing yearbooks and participating in an all school social.
Finally, our 8th graders carried on the tradition of the 8th grade Circle Walk. This was a touching time for our students to take one last walk together around the gym. I loved being a part of these special traditions and look forward to making many more memories in the coming years.
I am so proud to be a part of this amazing school! Enjoy your summer!
Wrapping Up 2024-25 and Looking Ahead to a Strong Summer & Fall at OGHS
The 2024-25 school year has successfully closed. Students and faculty/staff enjoyed many highlights in classrooms, activities, and athletics across the few short months together. While many anticipate summer relaxation and time away from OGHS, I want to mention some considerations.
Summer Academy 2025 will operate Monday, May 27 through Friday, June 13, from 8:00 AM to 12:40 PM daily. During this time, the OGHS construction project will continue, especially on the south side of the building. This project will cause some differences in daily life throughout the summer and into the 2025-26 school year. I thank you for allowing the project to occur and caution you to anticipate the differences—especially with parking—as you traverse campus. Please also pay attention to the district activities calendar for the most updated information.
I encourage students to participate in some form of educational opportunity throughout summer—Mid-Continent Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, online study programs, AP study resources, and more. This will help students avoid the “summer slump” and make the transition to the 2025-26 school year fluid.
As another transition piece, OGHS will host a freshman orientation in August, and I will share that date as soon as possible.
The office will remain open throughout June but will close in July. I encourage you to conduct any school business in June; otherwise, the office will reopen Monday, August 4. You can always reach me via email, but please understand that I might take longer than normal to respond.
I hope everyone enjoys summertime and all the activities it brings with it.
As always, Go Panthers!
i-Ready Diagnostic and Instruction Update with Assistant Superintendent, Dr. MacLean
This school year, our district implemented a new diagnostic tool—i-Ready—to more effectively measure and support student progress in Math and Reading for grades K–8. The i-Ready program consists of two major components: a diagnostic assessment and a personalized online instruction path.
The diagnostic was administered three times during the year (beginning, middle, and end) and provided valuable insights into how each student was performing and progressing. In Math, the tool assessed four key domains: Numbers and Operations, Algebra and Algebraic Thinking, Measurement and Data, and Geometry. In Reading, it measured Phonological Awareness, Phonics, High-Frequency Words, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.
The second component—personalized online lessons—used each student’s diagnostic data to target individual skill gaps with interactive lessons. This instruction was delivered in a limited, structured manner to complement regular classroom teaching. Teachers closely monitored student progress and provided support aligned to both student needs and grade-level standards.
We’re proud to report that our district’s students made exceptional progress this year:
Reading Growth: Students achieved 118% of expected annual growth, exceeding national benchmarks and earning praise from both i-Ready consultants and our Central RPDC partners.
Math Growth: Students achieved 93% of expected growth, offering valuable insight into strengths and areas for improvement.
Additionally, 55% of our students are currently performing at or above grade level in Math, and we are developing plans to support the remaining 45% with targeted interventions beginning next school year. This data also informed our ongoing Math textbook evaluation process. Our teachers piloted several programs this year, and we plan to adopt a new series next year to strengthen alignment, close learning gaps, and enhance instruction.
Looking ahead, we will be expanding i-Ready diagnostic testing to include 9th and 10th graders. This expansion will provide us with even more data to wrap supports around students who are not yet at grade level—ensuring that intervention efforts continue into the high school years and align with our goal of improving achievement across all levels.
We’re incredibly proud of the work done by our teachers, building administrators, and instructional coaches, and Mrs. Chris Smith-Sands our Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Your commitment and fidelity in implementing this new tool made these outcomes possible. Thank you for growing our students beyond expectations!
Michelle Alexander Named 2025 Oak Grove Citizen of the Year
We are thrilled on the announcement that Michelle Alexander, Assistant Principal of Oak Grove Primary School and the Oak Grove Early Childhood Center, has been named the 2025 City of Oak Grove Citizen of the Year!
This incredible recognition is a heartfelt celebration of Mrs. Alexander’s unwavering commitment—not only to our students and staff—but to the entire Oak Grove community. Whether leading initiatives in our schools or volunteering beyond the classroom, Mrs. Alexander’s passion and service are a true reflection of leadership with heart and purpose.
Her dedication is a shining example of what it means to live the Panther Way—making a meaningful impact every single day.
Congratulations, Mrs. Alexander!
State Champion (Discus) - Eva Alexander, OGHS Sophomore
Congratulations to Eva Alexander of Oak Grove High School has been crowned the 2025 MSHSAA Class 3 Girls Discus State Champion. She threw a remarkable 130 feet, 10 inches (39.88 meters), which not only secured her the top spot but also highlighted her dedication and skill in the sport.
Eva's athletic prowess extends beyond track and field ('24 Track & Field 4th placeState Medalist); she's also a 2x state-placed wrestler, and All-Conference/District Volleyball player showcasing her versatility and commitment across multiple sports.
Way to go, Eva! Your hard work and determination are truly inspiring. Oak Grove is proud to celebrate your achievements!
Teresa Schambers - Building Champion
Teresa goes above and beyond to make our school safe and clean! She interacts with all the students and staff and works hard to make our days better! She deals with the most undesirable things on a day to day basis and she does it so gracefully and with a smile!
Teresa is always willing to clean up any kind of spill or mess without hesitation or complaints.
Kathleen Aylward - Classroom Champion
Kathleen has been an amazing interventionist for special education and regular education students alike. She is a wonderful advocate for her students, and is always willing to jump in and offer assistance in order to ensure a student is successful.
We are so lucky to have Ms. A in our building! She is so calm and wonderful with our students and always willing to help anyone that needs it! Her dedication to supporting and educating our students with learning disabilities, as well as those who struggle with social and sensory disorders, is truly commendable. Her efforts make a significant impact on their lives, and their family and I am so thankful to have her as part of our team. We will feel her absence next year after she retires.
She's the BEST! She loves every child like her own and shows them with words and actions! Kathleen always goes above and beyond! Not only is she amazing with the students on her caseload, she is always willing to help out with any student needing extra help! In addition, she is and always has been a teacher’s best friend! She's an amazing resource, cheerleader, and listening ear!
Mary Brown - Building Champion
Mary shows kindness at all times while keeping the elementary school running smoothly! She is helpful, full of knowledge and suggestions, she listens to students, is a team player, helps all of us.
Mary is the backbone of our building! She holds it all together, and makes sure everyone has what they need. She fields hundreds of questions a day, all with a smile!
She is so dedicated to helping everyone in this building. She is a vital piece to OGE's success. Mary always has a positive attitude.
Stephen Hawkins - Classroom Champion
Stephen is always kind and patient with the kids. He goes above and beyond to be kind and considerate to everyone, and helps out whenever anybody needs anything.
A great addition to OGE. Mr. Hawkins always goes above and beyond for his students! From planning engaging lessons to holding students accountable, he does an amazing job! My students are so lucky to have him. He has made STEM amazing for our students.
Ani Cooper - Building Champion
Anni has worked here for years and puts in the time and effort for ALL OG children! She is the silent pillar of OG schools!
Miss Anni is willing to help out wherever she is needed. She holds students accountable.Amazing person and asset to OGMS. She is a go-getter, Hard worker. Dependable. and Fun!
Garrett Higbee - Classroom Champion
Garrett is always positive and works hard on building positive relationships with students.
He created a Track website to communicate and celebrate students and he spends a lot of time on it. He is great at establishing relationships with kids and has stepped up at extracurricular activities this year as well.
Gretchen Phillips - Building Champion
She is such a kind, caring educator who is always willing to help in any situation, her help in my U.S. history class 3rd Hour has been invaluable! Gretchen is just awesome! She works so hard for her students and is a crucial part of her team.
I'm so happy to have her in our building. Always willing to put in the extra time and effort to make things run smoothly in any classroom she is in.
Gretchen does an amazing job stepping up wherever she is needed! Always willing to help out and truly is there to support students. Gretchen is always willing to do whatever is asked of her.
Stepped up to help cover SPED classes during EOC testing.
Toni Leon - Classroom Champion
Toni goes above and beyond and she has been given a new task that she does with grace and class.
Toni has worked with students and families in a MTSS role covering attendance and tardies. Toni has also taken over as the building EOC testing coordinator. EOC testing was highly organized and successfully completed! Toni has also taken a leadership role in our OGHS building coalition team, meeting once a month as we make important decisions for next year and beyond.
Toni has shown to be a selfless leader, always thinking about the needs of others and their point of view. OGHS is blessed to have Mrs. Toni Leon as a vital part of our team! GO PANTHERS!! Toni has done so much to get our building ready for the EOC exams. Everything has gone smoothly so far because of her leadership, even the adjustments we had to make due to the Firewall outage.
Toni is a positive leader and we are lucky to have her! Toni has done so much to get us through EOC testing and to keep students trying their hardest! She has been juggling many hats from being a SPED teacher, leading EOC's and doing a great job, and starting a brand new opportunity for our students with ASPIRE!
This year, we are excited to continue our efforts in fostering a positive, uplifting culture through our Roar of Excellence. Our Oak Grove staff members work tirelessly to make a meaningful impact on our students, community, and each other, and this is a great way to recognize and celebrate their contributions.
If you've noticed a staff member going above and beyond, whether it's for their outstanding work with students, their support within the workplace, or their contributions to the community, take a moment to acknowledge them! Your shoutout will be shared to encourage, uplift, and shine a spotlight on their excellence.
Simply fill out the form below to submit your Roar of Excellence and help us continue creating a culture of appreciation and recognition in Oak Grove R-VI.
Shining Panthers Spotlight is all about celebrating our students’ incredible success, achievements, and everyday moments that make Oak Grove R-VI special! 🖤🧡
No story is too small—whether it’s a big accomplishment or a simple act of kindness, we want to hear and share the amazing things happening across our schools and in the community. 📸✨
📢 How to Contribute:
Share your stories and photos with us at comments@ogr6.org to help highlight the incredible work of our students and staff.
Your participation makes a difference in showcasing the heart of our district. Thank you for being part of our Panther community! 🐾
First Saturday Free Lunch! All summer long!
All are welcome to come enjoy free chips and hotdogs available the first Saturday each month this summer.
Saturday, May 3rd (11 - noon)
Saturday, June 7th (11 - noon)
Saturday, July 5th (11 - noon)
Saturday, August 2nd (11 - noon)
Provided by Oak Grove Christian Church
118 SW 22nd St Oak Grove, MO
