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
Back to School Bash- POSTPONED
Mother Nature isn’t quite cooperating this week. Due to forecasted thunderstorms, our Back to School Bash is postponed until Friday, September 7th at 6:30 pm. Fingers crossed for better weather to dance, dine & celebrate the first few weeks of school!
Grill Chasers & Riobamba Latin Cafe Food Trucks will be on hand & the ice cream man!
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.
PTA Meeting, Wednesday, May 9th
Join us in the Commons!
Please join us in the school commons on Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00 for our last PTA meeting of the year. We will be voting in our new Executive Committee. Everyone is welcome!
We also have tables reserved at Jimmy D’s immediately following the meeting. The Wednesday night specials are great, it should be fun night of socializing!
Please contact olivepta@gmail.com
Volunteer Appreciation May 9th, 6:30 pm
We would like to honor and say thank you to all of our outstanding Committee Chairs, Room Reps and 5th Grade parents.
You should have received an Evite to attend a special Thank You night. If you did not receive the Evite, please accept our apologies and know that you are also invited.
Please contact Angie Frye with any questions.
ACE It 25 (All Children Excel) Bowling Night – April 27
The brand new district committee ACE It 25 (All Children Excel, focusing on current families of SD25 children with identified physical, behavioral, emotional, or intellectual needs) is hosting a family bowling night on April 27.
All families are welcome. Please click here for all the details.
R.S.V.P. here.
Book Fair: Save the Date – 4/18/2018
Camp Out with a Good Book! April 18, 2018 6:30 – 8:00PM
Mark your calendars for our Annual Book Fair.
If you have a little time to volunteer for this event, please contact Katie. Day and night time help is needed for this fantastic event.
Bring Small Electronics to Recycle to the Earth Fair
Recycling Avenue will have a table at Earth Fair and will be accepting small electronics for recycling. Bring your family’s old electronics to dispose of them in an eco-friendly way.
Electronic collection:
● desktop computers
● computer servers
● mp3 players
● digital & video camera
● LCD flat monitors
● printers
● game consoles
● cell phones/house phones
● GPS system
● wires computer parts
● laptops/notebooks
● radar detectors
● routers & modems
Staff Appreciation Week – Volunteers and Donations Needed
Please help us celebrate our Out Of This World OMS staff during Staff Appreciation Week April 30th – May 4th. We plan to honor them with special treats throughout the week, but we can’t make it happen without help from all of you! Please consider signing up to volunteer your time or make a needed donation by clicking the sign up links below. We appreciate your help in making this a special week! Please contact Erica Williams or Mary Hoffman with any questions.
Staff Appreciation Week – April 30th – May 4th
Please join us in showing the OMS staff that we think they are “Out Of This World”. All systems are go for Staff Appreciation Week and we are getting ready to launch. We have optional daily activities planned that we think the students will have fun with. Let’s celebrate the shining stars that they are!
Monday: Star Student – Write a “Hoot” for a staff member!
Tuesday: Starry Night – Pajama Day!
Wednesday: Lucky Star – Bring a staff member a special treat of Starburst, Eclipse Gum or Orbit Gum!
Thursday: Star Light Star Bright – Write or bring a poem for staff member!
Friday: Rock Star – Have fun dressing like a Rock Star!
