Come dance, dine & celebrate the first week of school!
Grill Chasers & Riobamba Latin Cafe Food Trucks will be on hand & the ice cream man!
Bike Rodeo – Save the Date!
Attention ALL 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. The 2018 Bike Rodeo will be Wednesday, September 12th from 3:35 until 4:45 p.m.
Each year at Olive, we require that all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who would like to ride their bike to school (and have not participated in the past) participate in the Olive-Mary Stitt PTA Bike Rodeo. This rodeo is an introduction to biking rules and an opportunity for the children’s bikes and helmets to be checked for safety. Children may ride their bikes to school on the day of the Bike Rodeo and any day after their successful completion of the Bike Rodeo. Helmets are required for attendance.
Stay tuned next week for the permission slip as well as a sign up genius for parent volunteers. Please contact Katie Stawicki or Julie Talbot with any questions.
Sign up Now for House Hop 2018
Please join us on Saturday, September 29th from 7pm-11pm for the 7th annual House Hop (formerly called progressive dinner.) Come mingle and enjoy drinks and hors-d’oeuvre with other OMS parents, and make new connections, all while having a great time and supporting the PTA! All OMS parents are welcome-come single, as a couple or with a friend.
You can register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/house-hop-2018-tickets-48859175108?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or you can print the registration form from the twig and pay via check with no processing fee. The deadline for purchasing tickets at $35 each is September 14th. Late registrations will be taken if space is available through September 21st and the fee is $40 per ticket. Space is limited, so please register ASAP.
If you have not attended this event, it is a lot of fun. You will pick up your house assignments at Olive just before the event. The first house is from 7:00-9:00 for food and drinks, then you move on to the second house at 9:00-11:00 to meet different people and continue the fun. We will also be scheduling an “after hours” at a local establishment if you want to keep the party going.
Please feel free to contact Megan Kerpec at megan.kerpec@yahoo.com or Melissa Teuscher at melteuscher@gmail.com with any questions.
LMC Volunteer Orientation Meeting
Thursday, August 23rd, 9:10 am
For all who have expressed an interest in volunteering in the LMC this year, there will be an orientation meeting on Thursday, August 23rd at 9:10 am in the LMC . We will review LMC procedures and discuss any changes. We hope to see you there! Please contact Nina Shamoon with any questions.
Camp Edwards Trip – a Success!
The 5th Graders enjoyed a beautiful day at Camp Edwards on Monday. Thanks to the 5th Grade Committee & the 5th grade teachers that helped organize this amazing trip. They enjoyed many outdoor team building activities including an opportunity to zip line. We appreciate the help of all the parent volunteers that helped chaperone.
Fabulous Field Day!
We are grateful to our gym teacher, Mrs. Pusateri, for organizing an amazing Field Day last week. Over fifty parents volunteered to help give our children an amazing day. Special thanks go to Stacy Riggs for organizing all of the volunteers and helping us with this event.
Did You Forget to Order a Yearbook?
2017-2018 yearbooks will be sent home with your child this week if you ordered one. But all students will be receiving an autograph sheet regardless if you purchased a yearbook or not.
If you would still like to purchase a 2017-2018 yearbook, please visit treering.com. Enter passcode. 1014636724843184. Your yearbook will be delivered to your home.
5th Grade Recognition Breakfast
Thank you 5th Grade Committee for partnering with the school to put together such a memorable event for our 5th graders. It was a perfect send off. A great big round of applause for the team; Jeanne Cosgrove, Kim Lindberg, Deb Panos, Katie Starzyk, Heather Fiore, and Alexandra Fung.
OMS Congrats on a Job Well Done!
The Owl Way – Key Accomplishments 2017-2018
In August we raised enough money to create 1,200 meals for nokidhungry.org through our Ice Cream Social Fundraiser at Berry-Yo .
In September we saluted Community Helpers with huge cards signed by the entire school on the morning announcements. It was an incredibly exciting & moving experience for everyone!
In October we celebrated National Character week with millions of kids around the world. The “What’s Your Big Idea” banner was created by our kids, hung outside the LMC & generated inspiring conversations. Staff taught formal letter writing skills that were used to participate in Operation Gratitude. Those letters of thanks were embellished & delivered to be included in care packages for deployed military.
In November we piloted Warm the Nest with our partners, JOURNEYS & School District 59. OMS families donated a total of 513 pieces of winter gear which were sorted & bagged by 5th Grade volunteers and delivered to serve homeless families in suburban Cook County and children in school district 59. November perfectly illustrated how many hands working together can show OMS cares in a big way!
In December we collected a trunk load of pop tops to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Students viewed a personal testimony during their lunch hour of the impact RMH had in the life of a family in our Olive community. Ronald McDonald Charities helps to keep families together during illness, which greatly helps with healing.
In January students collected $452.39 in coins for Charity Waters, an organization that serves the 1 in 11 people on our planet that do not have access to clean drinking water. Students learned at lunch about the challenges kids and families face who do not have access to clean water. Our efforts raised awareness about the global water crisis and raised money to aid in the clean water project.
In February we joined a national campaign making Valentines for Veterans during indoor recess. Cards were delivered to veterans seeking treatment at North Chicago Veteran’s. Knowing that others are thinking about you and care about you, is the best kind of medicine for these heroes.
In March, our eat to benefit at Garibaldi’s for Pencils of Promise. A group that advocated for education for all. Together we raised enough money to educate eight children for a year.
In April we partnered with Ecology Club for the Share Your Soles event. Students collected 586 pairs of shoes of gently used footwear for this important organization that puts shoes on the soles of children and adults in the most impoverished areas of the world.
In May we will Fill the Nest with 337 bags of food donated to benefit Wheeling Township Pantry in partnership. This meaningful tradition will provide an exciting and meaningful finale to our year of service work; proof of what hands working together can accomplish!
CONGRATULATIONS OMS ON A JOB WELL DONE!!
The Owl Way – Christine Gilbert chairwoman
End of Year Survey – We Want to Hear from You!
What a year its been! We thank you for supporting the PTA through volunteering, participating in our fundraisers and attending our events and programs. We could not run without your robust support!
The PTA is member driven and we want to hear from you! Please consider filling out this short survey (3-5 minutes) by next Friday, June 8. Your feedback will help us improve for the future.
Here is a link to the survey. Contact us with any questions or concerns.
Thank you in advance,
Kelly Gabrione and Megan Puzen
PTA Co-Presidents
Successful Food Drive
The Owl Way thanks you for your generous food donations and for our Owl helpers to load the truck. Another successful food drive for our community! Continue reading
Last Day of School – Volunteers Needed in the Morning
We are looking for several people to help direct the kids into an alternate entrance in the morning of the last day of school, Friday, June 9th from 8:45-9:05. The 5th grade breakfast will be going on in the commons and the kids will be entering through an alternate entrance. They will still be lining up in the same area as usual.
Please sign up here if you would like to help.
Thank You Volunteers!
PTA Recognition Certificates
We appreciate all your hard work with the PTA this year!
Staff Appreciation Luncheon – Thank You and Photos
We would like to extend a big thank you to all of the volunteers who made our Staff Appreciation week so special. Because of you the staff was able to enjoy fruit and refreshing flavored water drinks on Monday; a breakfast spread on Tuesday; a popcorn bar on Wednesday; a yummy dessert and coffee bar on Thursday and a catered luncheon on Friday to finish off the week.
We couldn’t have done it without all of your donations and time!
Mary Hoffman and Erica Williams
Endangered Committees – Help Us Save Them!
We are still in need of co-chairs for a few of Olive’s favorite committees. Without leaders, these committees will not continue. If you are interested in any of the following please email olivepta@gmail.com and we will make this work for you.
Chess Club
The Owl Way
Scholarship/Volunteer Recognition
PTA Volunteer Form – 2018/2019
Would you like to get involved and help out on a committee, volunteer as a room rep or work in the LMC this year? Please use this form to volunteer your time. We truly appreciate all of you! Email olivepta@gmail.com if you have any further questions.
PTA MEMBERSHIP – 2018/2019 School Year
Thank you for supporting the PTA this year! We encourage you to sign up for next year’s PTA membership when you complete your online school registration. We welcome alumni families that want to continue to support our programs. Please email us if you have questions or missed signing up during registration olivepta@gmail.com. Please do not register off our website as the link is still for membership for this school year. Thank you!
Benefits include:
Access to Directory Spot App (online school directory)
Support to Olive PTA programs: Activity Nights, Author Visits, Bike Rodeo, Bingo Night, Birthday Books, Camp Fit, Chess Club, Earth Fair, Ecology Club, First Aid for Little People, Meet and Greet, Robert Crown Health Talks, Reflections, Staff Appreciation Week, 5th Grade Recognition and much more
Membership to IL PTA with discounts to many national retailers
Opportunities to volunteer and meet new people.
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Vacation
Students recently came home with a brown bag for our annual OMS Owl Way Food Drive. Donations can be brought to classrooms Monday, May 14th through Friday, May 18th. This food drive project helps foster service learning and teach the importance of Caring and Helping Others. Working together, we raise awareness about the issue of hunger and inspire empathy for those facing it. As a collaborative school community with responsible students, we see this as an important opportunity to help others.
Summer is a critical time for the food pantry, because donations drop dramatically during summer. Your generosity will help to sustain the many families that depend on the food pantry this summer. The pantry is in need of all types of non-perishable foods. The pantry is in need of all types of non-perishable foods.
Pantry needs: beans (dry), beef stew, cereal, crackers, dry milk, flour, canned fruit, macaroni & cheese, canned meat, pasta, oil, soup, pasta sauce, sugar, vegetables, rice, facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towels.
Please no glass bottles or jars!
Thanks for Sharing Your Soles
The Owl Way & the Ecology Club would like to thank all the Olive families and staff that donated to the shoe drive.
A big thank you goes out to Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Klimas, and special volunteer 5th grade students who demonstrated fantastic teamwork as they sorted, counted and bagged shoes. 780 shoes were donated!
A Hoot goes out to Cari Klinkenborg and Sheryl Terril who donated their time to deliver those shoes to the “Share Your Soles” warehouse.
School Supplies – 2018/2019
It is that time of year to place your online order for 2018/2019 school year. This year you have 2 vendors to chose from:
1. Order pre-packaged kits online with 1st Day School Supplies. Online orders due by June 30, 2018. School supply kits will be in placed in your child’s classroom by the first day of school. Please click here to order online.
2. Order pre-package kits or individual items online with Yubbler. Online orders due by August 17, 2018. Items will be mailed to your home and you are responsible for bringing them to school by the first day. Click here for instructions. In the month of May, parents will receive a 15% discount. Please click here to order online.
Code: 15OFF (Enter the code in the code box on the donation option page.)
You are also welcome to purchase supplies on your own. OMS School Supplies 2018-19 lists
Please review and make sure you are ordering the correct grade for your child. Note: school supplies are notebooks, pencils, etc. requested by each grade. This is not the same as the annual school fee paid during registration.
If you have any questions, you can contact Kerri Grabowski
Field Day Sign up Link!
Field Day Sign up is here! We need YOU to help run the MANY fun activities planned for June 1st (rain date June 5th). Primary grades will be 9:15-11:45, Intermediate grades will be 12:15-3:15.
Volunteer slots fill up fast so click on the link, pick an activity, indicate if you are free for the rain date, and you are all set!
Thank you!
Ecology Club
Ecology Club will hold its last meeting of the school year Thursday, May 3rd.
Ecology Club is a PTA sponsored club open to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. The OMS Ecology Club brings a mix of activities to tech and inspire our young ecologists.
Spotlight – A Children’s Celebration of Arts and Community
Sunday, May 6 – Millikin University
SPOTLIGHT is a FREE event to CELEBRATE the children in our state. This event is open to ALL CHILDREN and FAMILIES in Illinois.
First Aid for Little People – Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to help with our PTA sponsored program, First Aid for Little People. This is a program developed by the American Red Cross teaching children about various health and safety issues.
The topics include:
- fire safety
- water safety
- first aid
- poisoning
- choking
We will have a firefighter teaching fire safety.
Following a brief presentation on the other topics, we will break the kids up into small groups and volunteer parents will review a specific topic with each group.
Co-Chairs Needed for Scholarship/Volunteer Recognition Needed
We are looking for 2 people to join the Scholarship/Volunteer Recognition Committee.
The Scholarship portion involves reading and grading essay submissions from high school and elementary children applying for the Arlington Heights Council of PTA’s Scholarships. It also involves planning the OMS PTA Volunteer Recognition event at the end of the school year.
For more information please contact Angie Frye at angiecfrye@gmail.com.
Thank You, Thank You, Earth Fair Volunteers!
The Ecology Club would like to give a great big thank you to everyone who volunteered at the 2018 Earth Fair. Without the help OLIVE you, the Earth Fair would not be the fun and informative event we have all grown to love! Without amazing OMS volunteers this unique PTA event wouldn’t happen.
A special thank you to the Kurzynski family for creating the wonderful soil and worm education table. I hope everyone had a chance to learn about the soil under our feet last Wednesday night!
Mr. Demarco and Mrs. Pusateri thank you for heading up the famous trash to treasure station.Trash to Treasure is always a big hit!
Thank you second grade families without your recyclable contributions fair goers couldn’t create new treasures. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did!
Thank you OMS Ecology Club families for going above and beyond! Thank you Degala family, Roura family, Phillips family, Bersch family, Fung family, De Rosa family, Brown family, Lischett family, Schaner family, Mimi Hill, Ashley Linscott, Jake Linscott, Marks family, Balyeat family, Eichorn family, McDonnell family, Gryfakis family, Hany family, Wellner family, Wendle family, Coffey family, Kerpec family, Vander Klay family, Zaprianova family, Ciupeiu family, Stannis family, Gilbert family, PTA co presidents Kelly Gabrione and Megan Puzen. Principal Rebecca FitzPatrick, Vice Principal Erin Davis, The amazing OMS custodial staff Mr. Bob Sesterhenn, Mr. Jimmy Stewart, Mr. Duane Martin and Mr. John Quaranta.
5th Grade Track Meet – Wednesday, May 23
District 25 2018 5th Grade Track Meet is on Wednesday, May 23 from 4:15 – 6:00 pm at South Middle School.
This is a great way to experience an interscholastic event. Other than the Mile Run, all participates are placed in heats according to time/ability. All details and a permission slip are attached. Permission slips are due on Monday, May 14 and will also be available for students at school. Please email Mrs. Pusateri if you have any questions.
Book Fair – Read a Message from the Co-Chairs
To all the amazing book fair volunteers,
A great big thank you for making the fair run so smoothly. Without you we could not have had such a successful event! A special thank you to Melanie Varrato and Nicole Arguelles for working side by side with us in preparation for next year, good luck to our new chairs!
Monica Hartman and Katie Starzyk
The Owl Way – Co-Chairs Needed!
We are looking for two (or three) parents to take the lead on one of Olive’s favorite programs – The Owl Way. A brief description is below. If you are interested email olivepta@gmail.com. We are happy to answer any questions and have the new person shadow our awesome current chair.
