Oak Grove Elementary

Dekalb County Schools

Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!

Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!


As we begin a new year during some rather unsettling circumstances, please know we are operating under the current safety protocols of the CDC/Department of Public Health/DCSD guidelines.  Masks, disinfecting, distancing, and air flow are still priorities.  We are abiding by all protocols that were in place last year except outdoors, where students are no longer required to wear masks and the playground equipment may be used.  Hand sanitizing stations are still at all doors & masks are required for everyone in the building.  We are maintaining all disinfecting protocols throughout the day.  Currently, rugs & other soft surfaces are not allowed in classrooms and no visitors are allowed in the building.  

Another change is the use of the cafeteria.  Our current set up has been approved until the guidance changes:  

The capacity of the cafeteria is 259.  We have seating for 102 with good air flow.  The students are seated about 3’ apart (3 students per 12’ table).  All students are facing the same direction while unmasked.  Staff will monitor students and when students finish eating, they will be asked to put their masks on.  Please help us with this by asking your child to eat his/her lunch first, replace their mask, and then talk to the person next to them.  


Understanding the variants are here & highly contagious, we are working diligently to keep everyone as safe as possible.  


It was heartwarming to see so many children and parents in the building at Open House!  The teachers were so happy to greet you all and we look forward to seeing children return Monday morning!  Our enrollment has declined as many have chosen other options for their children.  We have some classes with very low numbers, but we will use this opportunity to close achievement gaps, work more closely with individual students to help them thrive, and provide more social/emotional lessons (SEL).  We are ready and excited about the challenge of closing achievement gaps and the creative opportunities to serve children this year!

Because we know educating children is a partnership and I want parents to remain engaged as much as possible, I encourage you to sign up to be a virtual DEAR reader (PK – 2nd), guest speaker to your child’s class, and attend virtual conferences as much as possible.  Although I have a school calendar “penciled in” through the last day of school in May, we may have to have many activities virtually.  We have been approved for the Back to School Social Friday, August 6!  Please come for a brief PTA meeting (the budget needs to be approved with an official meeting) and stay for individually wrapped popsicles and distanced conversation in the side parking lot!   


Although the window has closed for the virtual option for first semester, the concurrent teaching/learning offered for those who requested this option will be slightly different from last year.  Concurrent will "look like" the following at OGE:

  • Teachers will use their laptops as a connection/pass-through device to the classroom, so the virtual student(s) are able to hear the teacher and the discussion in the classroom.  
  • The teacher will not be on screen/camera the entire time.
  • The teacher's laptop may be positioned toward the Promethean board &/or activity/presentation for the virtual student(s) to see/hear.
  • The teachers will make every effort to recognize/involve the virtual student(s) in the discussion/activities in the classroom. 
  • Art, music, and P.E. teachers will upload asynchronous lessons/activities.  It is the expectation these activities be completed in a timely manner as they will be graded.   
  • If your child is in a departmentalized grade, the concurrent setup will be the same for each class your child attends.  

I look forward to this year and serving your children.  My open-door policy still remains should you have questions, concerns, or feedback.  You may e-mail me at any time ([email protected]).  Please allow me 24-48 hours (1-2 business days) to respond.  I am trying to create a better work/life balance for my family as well, so my office hours will be 7:10 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. except for conference afternoons or other special calendar events as they arise.  

Thank you for your continued support!  OGE is the best place to serve!  

Warmly,

Lynda Mauborgne