We’d like to thank all the participants in the ‘Owl’ be your Secret Cupid exchange from last week!  It seems there was a lot of love shared throughout the nest community!  Just in time for some long winter days spending LOTS of quality family time together! 

During Black History Month, let’s learn more about some remarkable people! This week we are highlighting an activist, Mari Copeny. Thirteen-year-old Mari Copeny is living proof that even children can be great change-makers. At 8 years old, Copeny sparked a national movement when she wrote a letter to then-President Obama detailing the water crisis in … Continue reading Celebrate Black History Month

Virtual Art Club February 20 – March 13 2021 presented by Olive Mary Stitt PTA in collaboration with Hello Art Studio! Art lovers grades 1-5, come join us for weekly creative fun and connection! Virtual Art Club will be taught by Christine Thornton, the owner of Hello Art Studio and a former elementary school art … Continue reading Weekly Virtual Art Club with Hello Art Studio!

During Black History Month, let’s learn more about some remarkable people! This week we are highlighting Liz Montague. At just 25 years old, Montague is the first Black woman to have her illustrations featured in the New Yorker magazine. Her drawings deal with important topics, “like race and gender and what it’s like to be … Continue reading Celebrate Black History Month

Suggestions for how we could use excess budget funds are welcome. Complete the form here! Each year, PTA collects suggestions from parents, teachers and school administration on how to spend any excess budget funds. Although we do our best to budget appropriately, the PTA will likely have extra money this year. The actual amount of … Continue reading Suggestions for Excess Budget Funds

2 of the 3 grants submitted by Olive staff were funded! The third didn't fully meet the requirements of the ABC/25 foundation but will likely be funded through other venues. Coco bomb fundraiser raised over $2000 for the ABC/25 foundation which will be used for future grants! As of our December meeting, only 1 school … Continue reading ABC/25 Updates- Plus Learn How to Support Our School with Grants!

We need your help! As we continue to be in a virtual world, we want to shake things up a bit! If you or someone you know wants to help lead a virtual club, let us know! Comic Club, Lego Club, Art/Drawing Club, Yoga Club, Cooking Club, just to name a few. It could be … Continue reading Virtual Club Idea?

What fun it was to see all these in our Olive Community! Thank you so much to those that participated and shared your photos. Take a look at all the awesome work done by our Owls! Stay warm everyone!

Have you seen the latest viral video from UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis' recent floor routine? Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZ4GvoZih8 This January 23rd performance celebrated black culture and highlighted music by a number of black artists. Dennis' performance helped clinch UCLA's win and also earned an interview with Ellen DeGeneres and a shout out from former … Continue reading Celebrate Black History Month

Hello families! It was great seeing all of your kids during Picture Days! I just wanted to answer some questions you all have: Every student will receive a packet. Most students will prepay but any that didn't will still get a packet including a proof along with a unique online code. Pictures come back in … Continue reading Picture Retake Day and Follow-up Information

We will be providing both an in-person race (details to come on staggered start times and other safety measures) or virtually! Either way, get ready to support Arlington Heights School District 25 and the ABC25 Foundation! Stay tuned for the registration link, sponsor info and some REALLY fun events leading up to the race! You … Continue reading Save the Date! The 2021 ABC25 Get Burbed Challenge Will Be on April 24th!

It's true- our babies are almost done with elementary school! It hasn't been a traditional year but we are still moving forward with one of Olive's favorite traditions: 5th Grade Slideshow! To make this fun thing happen we request: 1) an infant photo of your student (ages 1-12 months) and 2) a recent photo of … Continue reading Hey 5th Grade Parents- We Need Your Baby (Pictures)!

Join the OMS PTA to send out a huge "Congratulations" to Bhavya B. for advancing to the Illinois PTA State level Reflections competition!! Bhavya has two submissions advancing - one in literature and one in film. Great job, Bhavya, and good luck at the state level!

Please join us, even if it's in your jammies, for our next virtual PTA meeting Tuesday, February 2nd at 7 pm! If you would like to join us, please email olivepta@gmail.com and we will send you the meeting link on Monday February 1st. We hope to "see" you there!

Thank you to our fellow parent, Sarah Wade, we are taking Stock the Lounge up a notch! Parent/Teacher conferences start February 11th at 8:15 am. Let's make sure our AMAZING staff is ready for a day full of talking! We are asking that items be dropped off at the school office by Thursday, February 11th … Continue reading Stock the Lounge AND grab-n-go for “Owl” Our Staff

Similar to secret Santa or getting "booed", please click the google form to find out more about our first ever "Owl" Be Your Secret Cupid Olive community event. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDwFE4pweIhBa7K55LbWOKOVLl4UbYdZXSntRHP6g0JizrZA/viewform?gxids=7628

Learn More about These Remarkable People During Black History Month, let's learn more about some remarkable people! This week we are highlighting sisters, Amanda and Gabrielle Gorman. You may have seen Amanda become the youngest poet to recite at an inauguration. She was also the country’s first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017. She overcame … Continue reading Celebrate Black History Month

Join Every Owl Counts on Wednesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm to continue our antiracist discussions and to plan a few upcoming events! Everyone is welcome! Please fill out this google form and we will send you the Zoom link for the meeting! https://forms.gle/1qba2NH7297bwJfv7

The Village of Arlington Heights provides emergency financial assistance to eligible residents who are facing temporary economic hardship. Information on eligibility may be found at https://www.vah.com/our_community/c_o_v_i_d-19_resources/assistance_for_residents/emergency_funding___financial_assistance. Donations to the AH Emergency Assistance Fund may be made via ARLINGTON CARES (a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization) at http://www.arlingtoncaresnfp.org.

Chess Club Starts Next Week. Chess club will be held virtually this year via zoom and played on lichess.org. Please use the following link to sign up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftTKh6HHwfI6sGmXbydaOtuNLVHofgZ4OMbHKB1WkwvL9egg/viewform?embedded=true Concerns, questions, or opinions ? We are open to them all. Please email. Our goal is to provide a platform for our kids to play albeit differently … Continue reading Looking to Level up?

Join us for our first ever " Winter WindOWLand" in our Olive community. Get your window markers, tempura paint, snowflakes, paper craft, and whatever else you can think of on your front windows. Best part...no need to leave your home! Want to be featured in the Twig, please submit your photos of your front decorations … Continue reading Let’s Decorate Owl Our Home Windows for a Windowland!!

Hey Parents! Every Owl Counts encourages you to honor MLK Day this year by reading with your kids, learning more for yourself or having that difficult conversation about race with your family. Here are some resources to help: Not sure how to talk to your kids about race? Listen to this 20 minute podcast full … Continue reading Listen Here for How You Can Honor MLK Day

Olive-Mary Stitt PTA is seeking nominations for officers to serve for the 2021-2022 school year. Executive positions for nomination include: President-Elect 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President (Ways & Means/Fundraising) *3rd Vice President (Legislation) Secretary Treasurer Each term is for two years. *With the exception of 3rd VP, which will fulfill the current term with … Continue reading PTA Executive Committee 2021/2022 – We Need You!

Great news! We are still taking school pictures on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 19th and 20th. All in-school attending students will take pictures in the morning and early afternoons will be reserved for remote students. Remote Families: Please sign up for a time slot to come to the school for a socially distanced photo. School … Continue reading Upcoming School Pictures

The holiday season may be over, but many in our local and greater Chicago-area communities are still in need of food. For our local community, the WHEELING TOWNSHIP FOOD PANTRY accepts monetary and food donations. Visit http://www.wheelingtownship.com/Food-Pantry to learn more. For the greater Chicago-area, THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY is accepting monetary donations at http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org. … Continue reading THE OWL WAY – SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

Thanks to those who attended our second Antiracist discussion on Wednesday night! If you couldn’t attend, read this short article that resonated with the group: https://strivingparent.com/2020/05/29/the-top-5-reasons-well-meaning-white-parents-do-not-discuss-race-with-their-white-children/ The group identified goals and actions and will meet monthly in 2021. Let us know if you want to be informed about future meetings, if you want to volunteer, … Continue reading Antiracist Action Update

Congratulations to the six Reflections participants whose work is advancing to the Regional competition this winter - Madelyn, Camille, Nuala, Rory, Bhavya, and Lydia. More information to follow in January. Great work everyone!

Join Every Owl Counts as we continue our parent discussion on how to be antiracist. All are welcome. Prior attendance and book reading not required! Email everyowlcounts@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

The holiday spiritwear and extras (masks, magnets, etc.) will be delivered to classrooms next week, we are hoping by Tuesday/Wednesday. Be on the lookout for these items! Thank you again for your support! If you have questions, please reach out to Bridget Stannis or Michael Thompson.

Click here to view the minutes of the November PTA Meeting.